A woman prepares maize at Silanga Undugu grounds in Kibra constituency on July 1, 2022.
Maize flour prices have decreased and are currently below Sh200 for a two-kilogram packet.
This month’s food and nutrition security report indicates that the average retail price for a two-kilogram packet of maize flour is Sh110, down from Sh139 last month.
“The prices of maize meal have been falling and remain below 2023 levels,” the report states.
The average wholesale and retail prices for maize grain across counties were Sh3,070 and Sh3,500, respectively.
Nairobi reported the highest wholesale price at Sh3,600, while Bungoma had the lowest at Sh2,160 for a 90-kilogram bag.
In terms of retail, Nairobi again had the highest price at Sh4,500, while Bungoma offered the lowest at Sh2,520 for the same bag size.
The report also notes declines in prices for other food items, including beans, Irish potatoes, rice, and sugar.
The average wholesale price for a 90-kilogram bag of beans has started to decrease, reflecting recent harvests, falling to Sh9,400 in August from Sh10,500 in July.
The lowest prices were recorded in Embu at Sh7,200 and Laikipia at Sh7,500, while Kisumu reported the highest average at Sh14,000 per 90-kilogram bag.
“The prices have stabilized compared to 2023 due to increased availability of domestic stocks at the household level,” the report adds.
Additionally, the average wholesale price for a 50-kilogram bag of Irish potatoes is Sh3,500.
When President William Ruto took office in August 2022, he shifted government-backed maize flour subsidies from consumption to production.
Instead of providing funds to millers to lower maize flour costs, the new administration began subsidizing inputs, particularly fertilizer.
The President emphasized that this change was necessary due to the systemic weaknesses of the previous subsidies, which lacked economic rationale.
