— As unga prices hit a 13-month high, government finally acts to ease food crisis
After weeks of rising public discontent and relentless market pressure, Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has finally bowed to public demand — authorizing the importation of maize to combat soaring unga (maize flour) prices that have hit a 13-month high.
The decision marks a sharp reversal from the government’s earlier insistence on relying solely on local produce, a stance that many argued was unsustainable amid shrinking harvests, delayed rains, and growing household desperation.
🧺 Unga Prices Break the Ceiling
As of early April, the average cost of a 2kg packet of maize flour had surged to KSh 220, the highest level since early last year. For millions of Kenyan households who depend on ugali as a staple meal, this price surge has been nothing short of punishing.
“Unga has become a luxury,” said Mary Achieng’, a mother of four in Nairobi’s Pipeline estate. “We now alternate between ugali and porridge because we can’t afford to buy flour every day.”
🌦️ The Roots of the Crisis
This food crisis has been building for months. A combination of erratic weather patterns, poor post-harvest handling, and delayed subsidies to local farmers has drastically limited maize supply in local markets.
While the Ministry of Agriculture initially projected adequate stocks to last into mid-year, traders and millers sounded the alarm early — citing dwindling reserves and escalating wholesale prices. With little official intervention, the prices of unga spiraled out of control.
🗣️ Pressure from All Sides
The pressure on CS Kagwe and his counterparts came from multiple fronts:
- Consumers: A wave of complaints flooded social media, with #UngaCrisis trending for days.
- Millers: Major processors warned of halting production if maize wasn’t made available urgently.
- Opposition leaders: Accused the government of “economic sabotage” and neglecting the poor.
- Religious leaders & civil society: Called for emergency food subsidies and imports to prevent unrest.
Eventually, the tide of dissatisfaction forced the Ministry’s hand.
🚢 Imports Cleared — But Will Relief Be Immediate?
In a press statement released on Friday, CS Kagwe announced the government will allow duty-free maize imports for a limited period, targeting 1 million bags over the next two months.
“This is a temporary measure to stabilize market prices and ensure no Kenyan goes to bed hungry,” he said.
However, experts warn that the effects won’t be felt overnight. “It could take 3 to 5 weeks before imported maize starts hitting shelves,” noted food economist Dr. Joyce Kilonzo. “Until then, prices may remain volatile.”
📉 Long-Term Questions Remain
While the importation will provide short-term relief, critics argue the move highlights a deeper issue — the government’s reactive, rather than proactive, approach to food security.
“We shouldn’t wait for protests before acting,” said Dr. Kilonzo. “A well-oiled strategic reserve and smart subsidies would prevent such shocks in the first place.”
🌍 A Regional Ripple
Kenya’s maize woes also reflect a wider regional trend. Uganda and Tanzania — traditionally major maize suppliers to Kenya — have seen lower harvests this season due to climate stress and export restrictions.
This raises another critical question: Can Kenya afford to rely on regional imports without boosting domestic production resilience?
✅ Conclusion: Relief, But With a Warning
CS Kagwe’s decision to open maize imports offers some short-term breathing room for Kenyan families, but it also exposes the fragility of the country’s food supply system.
As Kenyans wait for unga prices to cool, the call is growing louder for deeper structural reforms — ones that go beyond short-term imports and address the root of the crisis: climate resilience, storage infrastructure, fair pricing, and consistent government planning.
