Murang’a residents say the lowering of flour price is a mind game being played to Kenyans as elections come near

Murang’a residents have accused the government of playing politics with the soaring cost of living to sway voters. The residents said the government’s decision to provide low-cost of maize flour days before the general election is very hypocritical.
A shopkeeper of Gaturi village in Kiharu constituency said the cost of maize flour started rising late last year and has been on an upward trajectory. Shopkeepers said back then, a bundle of 12 packets of maize flour was sold at Ksh 960, but currently it is at Ksh 2,250. This forces him to sell a 2kg packet at Ksh 230 up from Ksh 100.
This has affected my business because it has made restocking difficult but I know it is because most shopkeepers do not have the money to buy stock of the flour.

According to many shopkeepers, the decision by the government to provide low cost flour now is not in the interest of Kenyans but the election, adding also that the current cost of living is not sustainable considering the high rate of unemployment.
One citizen mentioned that if the government fails to put sustainable measures in place, the crime rate will soar as Kenyans seek to sustain their families.
Another shopkeeper in Murang’a Town said it is unfortunate that the government is importing tax-free maize yet most farmers are about to harvest.
“The maize we planted in April has matured and is being harvested now. Why did the government not wait for it to dry to buy from local farmers?”

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya said the abolishment of taxes levied on maize imports will ensure there is enough supply in the country thus lowering the cost of production. Last month, Munya announced that the government had suspended all taxes on maize imported into the country in a bid to lower the cost.
On Monday, the government released a statement indicating that it had subsidized the price of maize flour to Ksh 100 for a two-kilogram me until further notice.
Murang’a Senate aspirant Pius Kinuthia praised the government for the efforts but noted that long-term measures are needed to permanently cushion Kenyans from food insecurity.
Kinuthia, who is vying for the seat through ODM said should the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition win, it should prioritize subsidization of farm inputs to ensure Kenyans are food secure.
“I am happy that this is part of Raila Odinga’s manifesto and I hope it will be among the first things he works on after his election,” he said.
Kinuthia said many Kenyans are sleeping hungry and struggling to get by with the shrinking sources of income and high cost of commodities.
“We need policies that favour both traders and Kenyans to provide a thriving environment for both,” he said.