Ruto dismantles Uhuru over Unga subsidy
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Ruto dismantles Uhuru over Unga subsidy adding that he has managed to lower the cost of living without spending a coin
Ruto dismantles Uhuru over Unga subsidy adding that he has managed to lower the cost of living without spending a coin.
On Monday, April 17, President William Ruto announced that his administration had saved over Ksh8 billion in a month while highlighting flaws in his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta’s plan to subsidize maize flour.
The President while addressing the Muslim faithful at Iftar at State House in Nairobi announced his decision to work with maize millers and the agreement he reached to cut the price of the staple meal.
The agreement permitted the state to import maize duty-free.
Following the agreement, Ruto disclosed that his administration had not spent a single penny to lower the price of staple foods like maize flour.
The Head of State argued that the move was a departure from a strategy employed by his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta who set aside Ksh8 billion to serve as a subsidy to millers.
“I want to appreciate the Kenyan traders. We gave the millers of the Republic of Kenya a chance to import food without paying taxes; they have worked with us to bring the cost of food to manageable levels.
“We have spent no money as the Government of Kenya. That is different from that subsidy in which they used Ksh8 billion in just one month, we have not spent a single coin,” he insisted.
Ruto revealed that the price of maize flour was selling between Ksh150 and Ksh170 while asking the opposition to give his administration time to keep its promises.
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He chastised his predecessor, arguing that when he (Ruto) assumed office, a 2kg packet of maize flour retailed at Ksh230 besides the state spending Ksh8 billion in the subsidy programme.
“I found the price of Unga retailing at Ksh230, but I have tried. The other day it was Ksh170. Right now, it is Ksh150,” Ruto told the Muslim faithful.
Ruto’s sentiments followed a statement from State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, who confirmed that the prices had gone down on select brands.
He lauded his boss reiterating the state’s commitment to addressing the high cost of living.
“Unga prices have started going down just as President William Ruto had assured Kenyans over the weekend,” the spokesperson announced.
To increase the country’s food basket, Ruto’s administration allowed traders to import various basic commodities duty-free.
In a circular notice dated Monday, February 20, 2023, the Treasury advised tax agencies to note that rice, cooking oil or fat, sugar, wheat, and beans importations were exempted from duty payment.
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