The Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, urges Kenyans not to panic over the prices of Unga.
Speaking at the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4) at the UN offices in Nairobi, Kagwe dismissed claims that maize unga prices are set to increase further.
“We are aware of the maize stocks in the country and that some individuals are holding maize, hoping prices will rise. Unfortunately for them, that will not happen,” Kagwe noted.
Kagwe explained that the Ministry will release the country’s strategic reserves to prevent Unga prices from increasing.
He explained that the government will release maize from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) strategic reserves to millers to help stabilize prices.
“There should be no panic about the prices of Unga going up. It is not going to go up, we are going to ensure it does not go up by releasing the strategic means reserves.” He noted.
Grade one 2kg packet of unga is currently retailing at an average of Sh160, up from the average of Sh100 and a 90-kg bag of maize at Sh4,200, up from Sh3,500 in January.
During the Summit, Kagwe outlined the vision for Africa’s food sovereignty and emphasized the power of public-private partnerships.
On April 4, CS Kagwe announced that the government would allow the importation of 5.5 million bags of yellow maize for a year with a 50% duty waiver for importers.
The Agriculture CS noted that the action would reduce the pressure on white maize.
