Kenyans have expressed their displeasure after sugar prices rose by 33 per cent in a span of seven days.
By the start of May 2023, retailers in Kenya were selling a 2-kilogram packet of sugar at an average of Ksh310.
A spot check by Kenyans.co.ke on Tuesday, May 16, showed that popular supermarkets across the country were selling various brands of sugar at an average of Ksh415.
Taking to online social media, Kenyans wondered what necessitated such a sharp spike of the crucial commodity without any earlier indication of a shortage.
Many blamed the government for its inability to cushion them at a time when they were grappling with a high cost of living and skyrocketing taxes.
They also highlighted a worsening state of the economy especially after the Finance Bill 2023 estimates proposed extra deductions and tax hikes in various essential commodities like fuel.
Former presidential running mate Justina Wamae remarked that Kenyans were not angry enough yet, which was why sugar prices had shot up without considering the current economic plight.
Kenyans.co.ke spoke to Economist Vincent Kimosop on what informed sugar companies to raise prices astronomically but he maintained that the producers and sector players remained dodgy.
“It is hard to ascertain now why sugar millers have decided to raise the prices,” he explained pointing to the fact that any millers were yet to issue an explanation statement.
The prices increased despite the National Treasury allowing for the importation of duty-free sugar.
In December 2022, the government allowed for the importation of 100,000 metric tonnes of brown or mill white sugar on duty-free status.
Additionally, the government allowed Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) to import a further 200,000 tonnes of sugar duty-free on February 2023.
President William Ruto on Sunday, April 9, further assured Kenyans that prices of basic commodities would start going down as the government had imported enough.
“I know we have a big debate across the country about the cost of living and how we need to reduce food prices.
“As a government, we have imported a lot of food and beginning this week, it will get to the market,” the President promised.
