Residents of West Pokot County have decried the lack of maize flour in the County despite government subsidy on the commodity. Our investigations revealed that traders in Kapenguria town still sell flour at the initial price which was Kshs 160 instead of Kshs 90 for the 2 Kgs.
In far-flung areas in West Pokot, the maize flour is not found because of high transport costs due to poor infrastructure in the area.
The County’s business community has attributed this to high transportation costs from wholesalers from major towns. “Traders incur a high cost to transport commodities to remote areas. Imagine from Kapenguria to Alale is more than 80 kilometres and traders spend a lot,” said John Domo, a trader.
Domo cited that one tin container of maize in the area goes at Kshs 150. We normally grind maize in Amudat, Uganda,” he said.
“Only Somalis who stay in centres like Kacheliba can afford a packet maize flour. No one can buy a packet maize flour in Alale,” he said.
One wholesaler in Kapenguria town who did not want to be named affirmed that they were selling the commodity at Kshs 120 because the maize flour is not easily available.
“We buy from millers in Moi’s Bridge at 1100 shillings per dozen, because here in the County there are no millers,” she said.
Kostei sub location assistant chief Joseph Siwa said in the whole Turkwel region, many are frustrated because of the high cost of transportation and insecurity in the area.
“You have to pay three police reservists three thousand shillings to escort you,” said Siwa.
Consumers who thronged most of the retail shops in Makutano township in Kapenguria said that they were frustrated by the prices and some opted to buy the alternative maize flour from local Posho Mills.
“A two kilogrammes packet of maize flour goes at 120 shillings in this town. No one has been arrested despite us raising the alarm. I am totally disappointed with the price,” said Mr. Joel Wamacho, a local.
However, supply deficits have been noted in arid and semi-arid lands and pastoral markets located far away from major supply routes.
Other consumers reiterated that they have opted to take cow blood to cushion themselves from the pangs of hunger in the area.
A resident from Lelan area, Mr. Simon Chumakemer, reiterated that there is no maize flour in the area and they have resorted to eating Irish potatoes.