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Shopkeepers and wholesalers in Kajiado county have asked the government to give proper direction on the reduction of maize flour prices, saying they have stock that was bought at higher prices.

The traders said Monday’s announcement that unga should retail at Sh100 from the previous Sh210 has put them at loggerheads with customers who now demand to buy flour at the subsidised price.

“I have 80 bales of maize flour of different brands. How will government subsidies trickle down to me to cover the high price I bought the Unga at?” asked Muthee Mulwa, who owns Commoners Wholesale in Mashuuru. 

“I am confused and in a fix” he said. 

Threatening traders

Some customers have been threatening traders, saying it was their right to buy maize flour at a lower price following the government directive. 

As a result, some shop owners had to temporarily close their shops.

“My customers here in the village are rigid and believe that as a shop owner I want to take advantage of them against the government directive. I could not take the risk of opening my shop today since the customers’ confrontation might be chaotic,” said Jack Lepatei, a shop owner at Kumpa in Kajiado Central.

The shop owners now say they risk being subjected to losses if big shops including supermarkets get subsidies and reduce the prices since customers will keep off the Unga selling at high prices.