Kenyans suffer amid soaring food prices

Food prices have been rising gradually in Kenya since 2022. Around the world, food prices are persistently, painfully high. On global markets, the price of grains, vegetable oil, dairy and other agricultural commodities have fallen steadily for months. But the relief hasn’t made it to the real world of shopkeepers, street vendors and families trying to make ends meet.

According to a report released by the Agriculture and Food Authority of Kenya, prices remain high because millers bought wheat when the food prices in the world were high. Kenyan millers have also been contending with high production costs arising from bigger fuel bills.

The price for a packet of maize flour has more than doubled over the past two years. After the 2022 elections, President William Ruto ended subsidies meant to cushion consumers from higher prices. He has promised nonetheless to bring down corn flour prices.