This archive report was first published on 16 July 2019.
On July 16, 2019, the National Assembly warned Agriculture Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri against his push for maize importation, citing sufficient stocks in the country.
Members of the Agriculture committee, led by chairman Adan Haji, told the government that there was no justification to import maize, as the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) had 2.1 million bags of maize in its stores.
The committee also noted that a Cabinet memo directed the release of 1.7 million bags of maize to millers this month, which would cater for July's needs.
Lawmakers argued that farmers and traders were holding another 1.5 million bags of maize, making the grains adequate until September when new harvests would enter the market.
Millers had linked rising flour prices to reduced maize supply, but the committee concluded that there was no shortage of maize in the country.
