Kenyan gov't refutes claims of food shortages

The Kenyan government on Friday refuted claims that there was looming food shortages in the country.

Deputy President William Ruto said there were enough bags of maize in the country's strategic reserves to sustain the country until the next harvesting season, which was around the corner.

"We want to tell those spreading propaganda of maize shortage to stop their blackmail tactics to justify importation of the commodity. I want to assure Kenyans that we have sufficient maize from our farmers in our stores," said Ruto in Kirinyaga county, central Kenya.

The move comes as the Cereal Millers Association warned that the low level of maize supply could see maize flour prices increase further.

According to the association's chairman Nick Hutchinson, declining maize supply and expensive imports from neighboring countries have made operating costs go up.

From an average of 0.90 U.S. dollars in February, the price of a two kilogram packet of flour has shot up to an average of 1.10 dollars.

Millers are currently buying a 90 kilogram bag of maize at between 26.5 dollars and 27.5 dollars, with prices steadily rising.

Ruto, however, warned millers against employing blackmail tactics to justify importation of maize, saying the government would protect local farmers from exploitation by unscrupulous individuals, who import maize into the country.

"We are releasing one million bags from our strategic reserves so that millers can buy them and ensure maize flour prices come down," said Ruto.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Willy Bett, told millers to stop spreading claims that the country would soon experience food shortage.

"Millers should stop causing unnecessary panic among Kenyans by misleading the country that there is shortage of food. We have more than 10 million bags enough to feed the country until the next harvesting season," Bett said. Endit