Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has issued a stern warning to retail shops and supermarkets that won't adhere to the government’s directive on the price of maize flour.
He was speaking at the Nairobi International Trade Fair when he announced that the county government would withdraw the licences of outlets that will be caught selling maize flour at a price higher than Ksh75 per 2kg packet.
"Mimi napeana onyo kwa wenye maduka na supermarket wote. Serikali na bunge ya muheshimiwa rais hawajaoengeza bei ya unga. Wamesema unga paketi mbili iuzwe kwa shillingi 75. Wale wote wanauza zaidi ya hio, tutaitisha leseni zetu, tufunge duka lako na upelekwe kortini kwa kutapeli wakenya.
"(I am warning shop owners and supermarkets against selling maize beyond Sh75 since the government has not increased prices for the same. We will withdraw licences for those who contravene the directive and charge them with fleecing Kenyans)," declared Sonko.
President Uhuru Kenyatta defended the government’s move to set the price of maize flour at Ksh75, referring to the increase in production of maize flour by 6 million bags.
The president reminded millers to be considerate and mindful of their social responsibility to Kenyans.
"I want to support what Governor Sonko has said. Supply has risen and thus dealers in all these precious commodities should ease prices. They must exercise high integrity in their businesses so as not to exploit Kenyans," Uhuru emphasised.
Millers had announced that they would increase the price of unga to reflect the increase in the cost of fuel caused by Finance Bill 2018.
Food security is among the pillars that the government has prioritised in the ambitious Big Four Agenda.
In his speech, the president also assured farmers who had sold their grains to the National Cereals and Produce Board would receive their payment which had been delayed.
