Maize Docks in Mombasa

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Maureen Mudi

13 July 2011

A ship has docked in Mombasa and offloaded 8,560 metric tonnes of white maize. Maize millers have been warning that Kenya was on the verge of running out of maize altogether after government delayed gazetting the zero-rated duty on maize imports promised in early June. The arrival of the maize may provide some relief to Kenyans after drought and a poor harvest caused maize prices to shoot up to Sh130 for a 2kg packet.

The white maize arrived from Zambia and Malawi and was shipped by Sea Bulk Shipping Services. The 107mX18M long vessel arrived in Kenyan waters almost a week ago but had to wait at the Indian Ocean for another vessel to offload due to its size. It was being offloaded at Berth number 3 at the Grain Bulk Handling Services terminal. After offloading, the consignment was siphoned straight to the GBHL silos.

A reliable source within the milling industry confirmed that the importers are Hydery Trading Company which imported 2, 224 tonnes: Premier Limited 4,000 tonnes; Capwell Kenya 836 tonnes; and Pembe Limited 1, 500 tonnes. Kenya Ports Authority public relations officer Boniface Mghanga confirmed that 6,336metric tonnes are from Malawi and 2,204 tonnes from Zambia.

Last month Prime Minister Raila Odinga asked maize millers to reduce the price of maize flour following the zero rating of maize imports. It is not clear if the millers will now reduce their prices. There has been an acute shortage of maize in Kenya in the past few weeks with lobby groups demanding action from the government.

On Friday, police dispersed a group called Unga Revolution who were trying to demonstrate outside the Office of the President in Harambee House. There have also been demonstrations in other parts of the country.

The National Cereals Produce Board has confirmed that it expecting 25,000 tonnes of maize in a few weeks time as a donation from Japan. The government has announced a six-month duty waiver on maize and wheat imports to encourage millers to import more.

AllAfrica – All the Time