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Kenyan gov't cuts maize flour price by 60 pct to cushion citizens

Xinhua, May 16, 2017 Adjust font size:

The Kenyan government has moved to cushion citizens from high maize prices by introducing subsidized flour that will retail at 60 percent less than the current market price.

The ministry of agriculture announced that starting Wednesday a 2kg packet of maize flour, East African nation's staple, will retail at 0.9 U.S. dollars, down from 1.5 dollars.

"As part of the government's Food Subsidy Programme, which seeks to reverse the recent rise in prices of essential food commodities, it is notified to the general public that starting Wednesday, the government has partnered with various millers to offer white maize at subsidized rates across the country," said the ministry in a statement.

Some 20 millers have partnered with the government in the programme that has caused excitement among citizens, who are squeezed by the high commodity prices.

A kilo of the subsidized flour would be retailing at 0.46 dollars in retail outlets in the first phase of the programme, according to the ministry.

Some 30,000 metric tonnes of maize from Mexico arrived in Kenya this week and are now in the stores of leading millers.

"I am happy with this move by the government and it is welcome. We have been suffering greatly due to the high prices. They should do the same to sugar and milk prices," said Benson Gitau, a messenger in Nairobi.

An increasing number of Kenyan families have been skipping meals as they struggle to survive amid fast-rising inflation.

Inflation in the East African nation has hit a 57-month high of 11.5 percent pushed up by soaring prices of basic commodities that have been on the rise in the past months.

None of the food items used every day by ordinary Kenyans has been spared, with the cost of sugar, vegetables, house rent, potatoes, onions, tomatoes and rice doubling.

The cost of a 2kg packet of sugar, for instance, has risen considerably now going at 4 dollars from 2.9 dollars two weeks ago.

On the other hand, a 500ml packet of milk has hit 0.68 dollars, up from 0.53 dollars some weeks ago with most families doing away with the commodity.

The rising cost of living has been turned into a campaign issue, with the Opposition National Super Alliance using it against President Uhuru Kenyatta's government ahead of August polls. Endit