Tax relief to reduce Maize flour prices by Ksh2, millers say
Maize flour prices will reduce by only Ksh2 after the government suspended all levies imposed on imported maize.
Maize millers have said plans by Agriculture Cabinet secretary Peter Munya to suspend all levies imposed on imported maize will only cut the price of flour by Sh2 for a two-kilo packet.
United Grain Millers Association (UGMA) says the move is so insignificant that it will not have any impact on consumers.
“The move is so insignificant, we need a serious government intervention on making the maize available in order to cut down significantly on the cost of flour,” said UGMA chairman Ken Nyaga.
Speaking at the Namanga border on Tuesday, 28, June, CS Munya said the government will suspend the levies imposed on imported maize in a bid to lower the cost of flour that is now retailing at about Sh210 for a two-kilo packet.
“We have decided to suspend all levies imposed on imported maize by 90 days that is coming to Kenya from any border post and from July 1, no charges will be levied on maize,” said Munya.
UGMA chairman Ken Nyaga said the government should open direct talks with countries like Tanzania, Zambia, and Malawi, which are currently the source market for maize imports, to abolish export permits and other border-related fees that have made the grain expensive.
“If we can have direct government talks to scrap export permit levy, then the price of maize will come down and this will impact the cost of the final product,” he said.
Also read,
Maize flour prices to drop in two days, Agriculture CS Munya
Ruto and Wajackoya set to launch their manifesto the same day on Thursday
Follow us
