Kenya: Traders risk Sh1m fine for selling maize flour above Sh100

The State on Monday inked a deal with millers to cut the price of maize flour by half under a Treasury-backed subsidy that could a see retailer risk a fine of Sh1 million or a five-year jail term for selling the commodity above Sh100. The Ministry of Agriculture said millers would be offered an undisclosed subsidy to bring down the cost of the staple from above Sh210 a packet. Under the scheme, the government will subsidise the price of flour processed by millers for four weeks or a few days after the August 9 General Election. Rising prices of staple maize flour and other foods have become a political headache for President Uhuru Kenyatta as he shepherds his succession. Sources familiar with the subsidy say the State could issue a gazette notice giving legal backing for capping sifted maize flour costs, marking the second time the order will be issued under a law passed in 2011 allowing price controls on essential goods. ALSO READ: Maize flour price breaches Sh200 mark as ...