This archive report was first published on 6 May 2020.
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to ravage Kenya, the country is facing a severe food crisis, with the cost of ugali expected to rise due to an acute maize shortage.
Published on May 6, 2020, the situation has been further complicated by the discovery that all the maize in the strategic grain reserves has been contaminated by the deadly aflatoxin.
The contamination of the grain reserves is a shocking failure, given that the strategic grain reserve is supposed to be the last resort in case of a shortage. It is unclear when the contamination was detected and whether anything could have been done to prevent it.
The Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Peter Munya, must take immediate action to address the situation, including ensuring that imports of maize are strictly monitored to prevent cartels from profiteering from the misery of Kenyans.
With a new wave of locust invasions looming, the situation is dire, and the government must take swift action to prevent a full-blown food crisis.
