The cost of living is rapidly escalating for millions of Kenyans as the price of maize, the nation’s staple food, surges to alarming levels.
Both the Poultry Breeders Association of Kenya (PBAK) and the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKAFEMA) are sounding the alarm, highlighting a dramatic increase in maize prices a 45% jump since January, reaching Ksh. 4,800 per bag, with projections indicating a climb to Ksh. 5,500 by April.
For a country where maize flour (unga) is the foundation of the daily meal, ugali, this spike threatens basic food security and household budgets.
The crisis stems from a confirmed maize shortage, impacting not only consumers facing increasingly expensive unga, but also the vital animal feed sector. Poultry farmers are particularly hard-hit, with rising feed costs inevitably leading to higher prices for chicken and eggs.
AKAFEMA Chairman Joseph Karuri warns that ugali, a cornerstone of Kenyan diets, risks becoming unaffordable for many. Both associations are urgently appealing to the government for immediate intervention, primarily advocating for a waiver of import duties on maize to stabilize prices and ensure availability.
Failure to act swiftly risks plunging more Kenyans into food insecurity and further destabilizing the economy.
Kenyans are facing an alarming rise in the cost of living, driven primarily by the sharp increase in maize prices. As maize and maize flour form the backbone of the country’s daily diet, the recent surge in prices is putting immense pressure on households and businesses alike.
The Poultry Breeders Association of Kenya (PBAK), which represents over 90% of day-old chick producers and 80% of the formal processed chicken market, has raised urgent concerns over the scarcity and rising costs of maize.
The association is calling on the government, particularly Mutahi Kagwe, Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, to intervene immediately.
A dire warning from industry leaders
The Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKAFEMA) has also issued a stark warning regarding the rapidly escalating maize prices. According to AKAFEMA Chairman, Karuri, the current shortage is being driven by multiple factors, including adverse weather conditions, reduced harvests, and disruptions in regional supply chains.
“The current trajectory of maize prices is deeply concerning and threatens the food security of millions of Kenyans,” stated Karuri. “We are already witnessing a sharp increase in the cost of unga, and if this trend continues unchecked, ugali, a fundamental part of our daily diet, will become increasingly unaffordable for a large segment of the population.”
Beyond the direct impact on household food budgets, the crisis is also threatening the sustainability of Kenya’s livestock sector. With feed costs soaring, poultry and livestock farmers are facing severe financial strain, leading to increased meat, poultry, and dairy prices. This, in turn, exacerbates the economic challenges for Kenyan families.
A Call for Immediate Government Action
In response to this worsening crisis, AKAFEMA and PBAK are urgently appealing to the government to implement swift and decisive measures. Chief among them is the immediate waiver of import duties on maize, which would help stabilize prices and ensure sufficient supply in the market.
“Waiving taxes on imported maize will provide much-needed relief to consumers by stabilizing and potentially reducing the price of unga and other maize-based products,” emphasized Karuri. “Furthermore, it will ensure that animal feed manufacturers have access to affordable raw materials, preventing further price hikes in the livestock sector and safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods.”
PBAK and AKAFEMA stress that this temporary measure is crucial in preventing a full-blown food crisis. The associations are calling for an immediate dialogue with relevant government bodies to discuss the urgent implementation of these measures and explore long-term solutions for sustainable food security in Kenya.
The time for action is now. Without immediate intervention, millions of Kenyans will face worsening food insecurity, businesses will struggle, and the economy will continue to suffer. The government must act swiftly to protect the nation from the devastating consequences of an unchecked maize crisis.
