Kenya: Agriculture CS Munya Dampens Maize Millers' Hopes

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya wants millers to process the imported Mexican maize in Mombasa to cut transport costs, dampening hopes by processors that the State will waive 14 per cent import duty to make it affordable. Mr Munya said waiving of duty to zero is a decision that can only be taken by the cabinet and that he does not foresee that happening. Millers have imported 1.2 million bags of maize, with most of them failing to collect it citing high cost when transport cost to Nairobi is added. "Waiving duty is a cabinet decision... the 14 per cent levy was chosen to avoid price distortion. If the maize is in Mombasa, they should consider milling it there because Mombasa is also Kenya," said Mr Munya. Mr Munya said the imports have helped to lower the price from above Sh3,600 to the current Sh3,300 for a 90-kilo bag as people who have been hoarding stock have been forced to release grain to the market. Mr Munya said the country is heading towards harvest time and it ...