Why consumers face erratic supply of cheap unga

Millers fear releasing maize flour into the market under the Sh8 billion national maize flour subsidy programme on suspicion the payment might be delayed until another government takes over.

Players in the sector said millers are keenly observing the situation with fear they could be duped to use their resources to stabilise the market but end up not being paid even after signing the contract.  

A spot check in major supermarkets revealed that quantities being supplied by millers are low thus are hurriedly bought especially before midday causing panic buying by the consumers.

Millers who talked to the Business Hub but wished not to be quoted, confirmed the value chains are implementing the programme cautiously despite having signed a contract with the Ministry of Agriculture last week.

“We are just careful on how we are implementing the programme. We would not like to have a repeat of the challenges we experienced in 2017, as the government delayed payments and even ended up not paying some proceeds to date,” said a miller.

   – Nicholas Waitathu