Agriculture Minister William Ruto has denied that there are cartels involved in the distribution of maize meal by millers.

Speaking in his office Wednesday, Ruto blamed the media for wrongly informing the public that a 2 kg packet of maize meal was costing Sh120 saying that this was inaccurate and did not reflect the reality on the ground.

Ruto assured consumers that the maize situation was under control and that the government was working hard to see that the prices come down in the next few weeks.

However, Cereal Millers Chairman Diamond Lalji admitted that there were insufficient maize stocks in the country, a situation that had led to the skyrocketing prices of maize flour in the shops.

 "Cereal millers Association is currently seeking permission to import maize at a duty free rate," Lalji said.

Shortage of maize flour in shops has occasioned rationing of the commodity with main supermarkets advising shoppers to buy only two packets at a time.

The price of a two kilogram packet of maize flour shot up from 85 shillings to 90 plus and in some outlets retailing at 120 shillings in the past week.