The cost of maize flour in Kisii has is rising despite government assurance it will release maize to millers to help stabilise the prices.

A spot check in different stores and supermarkets in Kisii town on May 7 revealed that the price of a two-kilogramme packet of maize flour was retailing at between Ksh165 and Ksh200, up from Ksh100-150 in the period between January and mid-April this year.

For instance, at Quick Mart Supermarket, a two-kilogramme packet of Hostess maize flour is retailing at Ksh184 while that of Amara is being sold at Ksh187.

At the neighbouring Naivas supermarket, a two-kilogramme packet of Hostess maize flour is retailing at Ksh190, Ajab at Ksh165 while Raha is going for Ksh209.

At Guardmart supermarket, a two-kilogramme packet of Jogoo maize flour costs Ksh165, Soko Ksh167 and Amaize is Ksh208.

Similarly, a two-kilogramme of Jogoo and Soko maize flour at Shivling Supermarket are retailing at Ksh165 and Ksh167 respectively, while Ajab is being sold at Ksh164.

According to Emmaculate Chelagat, a sales attendant at Quick Mart, there has been an increase in the prices of maize flour recent past, attributed to millers.

“Last month, the price of a two-kilogramme grade one packet of maize flour was retailing at an average of Ksh145, but now it is retailing at an average of Ksh165 to Ksh187 here at our supermarket,” said Chelagat.

Notably, a 90-kilogramme bag of maize is currently selling at Ksh4,200, up from Ksh3,500 in January.

Speaking to consumers in Kisii town, most of them affirmed that the hike in the price of maize has contributed to the increase in the price of maize flour in retail outlets.

“Currently, a bag of maize is being sold at around Ksh4,200 to Ksh4,300 and for that reason, the price of maize flour can’t drop anytime soon,” noted Beatrice Nyaboke, a trader selling maize within town.

Nyaboke called on the government to urgently intervene and avail maize to the millers so that the prices do not skyrocket further.

Last week while speaking at the United Nations Food Systems Summit (UNFSS+4) at the UN offices in Nairobi, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe dismissed claims that maize and, consequently, maize flour prices were going to increase further.

He said the government will release maize from the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) strategic reserves to millers to ensure the price of maize does not go up.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Wesonga Dancan and Willis Moturi