Kenyans will continue to dig deeper into their pockets as prices of food continue to go up.
This is even as President William Ruto assured that his government is working towards reducing the cost of living.
During his recent media interview, the President said the government was undertaking various interventions to ensure an increase in food supply.
“To sort out the issue of the high cost of living, the government is increasing production by working with farmers to achieve this.
We are supporting farmers with fertiliser and seeds and an additional 200,000 acres of land have been put into production,” he said.
On maize importation, Ruto said the country has so far imported 250,000 metric tons of maize.
“We have also increased supply. We have imported close to 250,000 tons of maize, 75,000 tons of rice, 30,000-40,000 tons of beans and about 100,000 tons of cooking oil.
In the short term, we will have to increase supply through importation and in the long term, we will increase supply through production,” Ruto said.
The President told Kenyans said the only sure way to reduce the cost of living and food is through production.
A spot check by Mkenya Leo showed that maize meal prices have remained at a high of Sh220-Sh235 per 2kg packet.
The cheapest unga in the local supermarkets is Mama maize meal brand which is retailing at Sh220.
Other maize meal brands are selling at Sh204 to as high as Sh262 for some of the premium brands.
In contrast, here is how the flour sold in the middle of May, the end of May, and on June 7, 2023:
- Jogoo sold for Sh 208, Sh 195 and now Sh 235
- Pembe sold for Sh 208, Sh 195 and now Sh 227
- Mama sold for Sh 198 in May and Sh 220 in June
- Soko sold for Sh 207, Sh 215 and now Sh 230
- Amaize sold for Sh 249, Sh 247 and now Sh 250
- Mama sold for Sh 198, Sh 204 and now Sh 220
On the other hand, sugar prices have doubled since the beginning of the month.
A two-kilo packet of sugar that was in the first week selling at an average of Sh200 is now retailing at Sh420 for a 2kg packet.
