Gov't gives millers one week ultimatum to import maize

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi has given millers a one-week ultimatum to import maize or have their duty free importation licenses revoked.

The CS also accused millers of exporting consumable grain to neighbouring countries for more profit at the expense of Kenyan citizens.

This as the ongoing stand-off between millers and the government over price control of maize flour and unpaid dues from the 2022 subsidy programme took a new dimension.

“Next week on 30th, those people that will not have given us proof that there’s something we’re waiting for, then all those licenses will not be valid,” said CS Linturi.

The CS, while meeting millers at his Nairobi office on Tuesday, accused a section of them of exporting imported duty free grain to some neighbouring countries, to maximize on profits.

Linturi accused some millers of hawking their duty free licenses as they lacked financial muscle to import the grain.

“Some of you are exporting maize and rice to South Sudan and Tanzania. As we sit here, we have even impounded some of these commodities under our custory,” he said.

“There is no country that will allow its millers to export food produce while its own country lacks food...and that's why out there they are denying you theirs because they must feed their very own.”

The millers, through their representatives, assured the State that the much-needed commodity is at sea, bound for Kenya despite logistical challenges.

Last week, CS Linturi summoned over 20 local maize millers to establish why they are yet to lower the prices of their respective unga brands, threatening to revoke their licenses.

The government remains non-committal on the more than Ksh.3 billion it owes millers through the maize subsidy programme during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.