Gov’t Breaks Silence As Maize, Unga Prices Surge Amidst Importation Promise

Gov’t Breaks Silence As Maize, Unga Prices Surge Amidst Importation Promise

As unga prices reach Ksh170 in some areas, the government is racing to locate extra maize to alleviate the pressure caused by the drought, which has decimated portions of the country.

The price of unga has been rising for the past three months, with reports indicating that certain millers have depleted their inventories and farmers in the North Rift region are stockpiling grain in expectation of a shortage and increased costs.

Some farmers are storing maize despite the government’s 30-day ultimatum to relinquish their reserves or face duty-free maize imports aimed at stabilising unga prices.

Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, revealed on Friday that the Zambian government has agreed to supply Kenya with up to one million 90kg bags of maize.

The arrangement is intended to protect the country from potential shortages as maize flour prices continue to rise.

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe maize prices will fall as imports from South Africa and Ukraine increase, adding that yellow maize has safely helped ease shortages before. pic.twitter.com/D6tzUm5YSI

— TheStarKenya (@TheStarKenya) February 13, 2026

This will increase maize inventories in the National Strategic Food Reserve, which now stands at fewer than 200,000 bags compared to a target of 1.7 million.

The importation comes at a time when a 90-kilogram bag of maize is now priced at Ksh4,200, up from Ksh3,800, while a two-kilogram packet of maize flour costs Ksh160 for the lowest brands, up from Ksh130 before.

In a conducted spot check on four of the most-consumed maize flour brands, their prices range from Ksh153 to Ksh168 across three of the largest supermarket chains in the country.

ALSO READ:

• Gov’t Breaks Silence As Maize, Unga Prices Surge Amidst Importation Promise
• “That’s Ours, Don’t Try Us!” – Ruto’s CS Tells Off Oburu After DP Position Remark
• [VIDEO] Robbers Impersonate Traffic Police To Steal Ksh1.9 million From Man Leaving Bank
• Catholic Bishops Finally Break Silence On Police Instigated Violence in Church
• Ruto Flies To Ethiopia For Emergency AU Summit Amid Global Uncertainties

The rise in maize prices pushed the CS to issue a warning to maize farmers who were accused of hoarding maize, which threatened the nation’s food security.

He issued a 30-day ultimatum to the farmers, adding that failure to comply would trigger large-scale duty-free imports that would flood the market and affect prices in consumers’ favour.

According to farmers, they were hoarding maize, anticipating a rise in maize prices across the country, allowing them to sell at higher rates in the coming weeks.

They also raised the issue that tough climatic conditions during planting have led to concerns about a lower maize harvest this season, prompting them to retain stocks as a safeguard against scarcity.

Gov’t Breaks Silence As Maize, Unga Prices Surge Amidst Importation Promise