Business paralysed in Namanga as maize importers protest along Tanzania border

The business people have expressed their frustrations saying that hundreds of trucks with imported maize from Tanzania to Kenya are stuck at the Namanga border for over 2 weeks over what the authorities claim is the expiry of permits in some trucks.

The over 900 truck drivers ferrying maize from the neighbouring country say they have been incurring losses for the last two weeks without a solution.

The traders who have blocked the busy road connecting Kenya and Tanzania using trucks have vowed not to allow any movement of goods and vehicles at the border until their plea is addressed.

Tanzania wants grain traders to renew their export permits before shipping maize out of the country but the drivers insist they already have permits and that is why they were allowed to buy maize in the first place 

This policy shift has locked already bought stocks of grain by Kenyan millers at the border, which has led to zero supply of grain to Kenya.

The maize importers have paralysed their operations at a time there is a dwindling maize supply chain and further increase of maize flour prices currently retailing at Ksh.200 per 2kg packet.

The business people have requested the governments to have talks that will allow them to do business.

Kenya is majorly relying on maize stocks from Tanzania to meet the rising demand for flour after the supply in the local market fizzled.

The standoff is witnessed in other Kenya-Tanzania borders like Isbania in Migori, Lunga Lunga, Loitokitok and Namanga.