Lobby calls for lower flour prices
What you need to know:
- Consumer Federation of Kenya Secretary General Stephen Mutoro said even though President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed millers to lower the cost of flour in response to reduced cost of energy, the margin is still negligible.
- A spot check by the Nation revealed that the cost of a 2 kg packet of the maize flour had reduced from Sh110 to Sh90 in two months.
- Mr Mutoro faulted the Competition Authority of Kenya for doing too little to streamline the cereals market in the country.
A lobby group says the price of maize flour has not reduced the low cost of production after government interventions.
Consumer Federation of Kenya Secretary General Stephen Mutoro said even though President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed millers to lower the cost of flour in response to reduced cost of energy, the margin is still negligible.
A spot check by the Nation revealed that the cost of a 2 kg packet of the maize flour had reduced from Sh110 to Sh90 in two months.
However, Mr Mutoro says the price should not be more than Sh60, given the cost of production had considerably been lowered.
“It is unfortunate that the president had to intervene for millers and retail outlets to adjust their prices,” Mr Mutoro lamented.
“We need for a regulatory mechanism comprising consumers, manufacturers, retailers and the government to fix challenges facing the cereals sector. We have allowed some people to fix prices which leaves consumers exposed.”
Mr Mutoro faulted the Competition Authority of Kenya for doing too little to streamline the cereals market in the country.
“Millers are making massive profits given that they buy maize cheaply from farmers,” said Mr Kipkorir Arap Menjo,Kenya Farmers Association director.
