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Maize flour is displayed at Naivas Supermarket along Kiambu Road. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]
Maize flour prices in Kenya's leading supermarkets and local kiosks have not gone down, as suggested by several leaders.
A spot check by The Standard on Tuesday, April 18, revealed that unga prices are yet to reduce at several outlets.
This is despite a statement by Statehouse Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed on Monday that prices had come down to between Sh159 and Sh160.
"Unga prices have started going down just as President William Ruto had assured Kenyans over the weekend. Prices have dropped to Sh159 and Sh160, depending on the millers. When the president assumed office last year, a 2kg packet was retailing at approximately Sh230," Mohammed tweeted.
At Quickmart Supermarket in Nairobi, a 2kg bag of Pembe maize flour is selling at Sh202, while Ndovu is selling at Sh189 and Ajab is going for Sh199. A 2kg packet of Soko maize meal is retailing at Sh213.
"We have not had any changes in unga prices. A two-kilogram bag of Jogoo maize meal is still retailing at Sh205 and Jambo at Sh190," Boniface Francis, a shopkeeper in Donholm confirmed to The Standard.
A 2kg packet of Jogoo maize meal costs Sh199 at Naivas Supermarket.
"Jogoo is still selling at Sh210 and Soko is going for Sh205. We are yet to see the reduced prices as announced by the president," Naomi Atieno, a shopkeeper in Homabay town said.
The prices of maize flour vary from one location to the other.
Mohammed on Monday said that the Head of State had ensured that Kenyans enjoy lower prices for the commodity on select brands, following the Kenya Kwanza government's plan to lower the cost of living which has been a major concern in the country.
His statement comes after President Ruto promised a reduction in the price of maize flour last week.
"By next week, you will begin seeing new prices in maize. The price of unga will go down. I am aware the cost of living has risen but on this, we had agreed that Kenyans must purchase maize flour at better prices," Ruto said.
Whether unga prices will come down to the promised Sh159 nationwide remains to be seen.
