Kenyan flour shortage stokes anger ahead of election

A Kenyan government scheme to subsidize staple maize flour has hit problems over shortages, stoking anger over high food prices ahead of a national election in August.

President Uhuru Kenyatta, seeking a second five-year term, faces veteran rival Raila Odinga, who says the high food prices show Kenyatta’s government has failed poor citizens.The government unveiled a 6 billion shilling ($58.14 million) maize (corn) subsidy program last week to lower the unit cost of flour to 90 shillings, after it soared by a third to around 136 shillings during a regional drought.

“We are happy they have lowered the price but getting it is the problem. This flour is like gold,” said trader Joseph Ouma, speaking in a Nairobi store that limited shoppers to two packs of flour per customer due to high demand. In the western city of Kisumu, major retail outlets did not have maize flour, angering shoppers who had travelled from rural homes to the city to look for it.

“It is sad that the government assures us that there is flour yet we can’t find it in the shops,” said Denish Owuor, who managed to buy only one pack of flour. The government is importing Mexican maize and distributing it to millers at subsidised rates. The packets are stamped in bright red letters with the price of 90 shillings and the letters GoK, for Government of Kenya. —Reuters