In an unprecedented move, Kensalt Limited, a Mombasa based firm and processor of table salt in the country has announced price increase of the commodity by Sh1,000 per tonne translating to Sh1 per kilogram.
And in what seems to be a paradoxical market reality of the crucial commodities, president William Ruto has said the price of maize flour will drop beginning next week hours after High Court suspended contractual commitment on the controversial maize deal between the Kenya and Zambian government.
“We wish to inform you that due to a continuous rise in the cost of production, we have been forced to increase our prices by Sh1,000 per tonne plus VAT with effect from April 15, 2023. This price increase was necessary in order to continue supplying you with salt without fail.” A public notice to customers signed by Kensalt General Manager Arpan Roy reads in part.
The price increment of the most crucial and basic commodity reminiscent with every household depict the gravity of rising production and operational costs manufacturers have to meet that is translated to the end user.
This comes against the backdrop of weakening shilling against the dollar further exerting pressure on imports and power costs.
At the same time, president Ruto has now said the price of maize flour will go down starting next week when the country receives the imported shipment.
“I know we have a problem with the cost of living. We had agreed that we would sort out the issue of the price of unga. By the end of next week, the prices of unga will go down owing to the arrival of the imported unga.” The president noted.
President Ruto’s statement comes amid calls by Azimio One Kenya coalition Raila Odinga asking the government to lower the prices of unga even as he pointed towards resumption of bi-weekly anti-government protests to pressurise action of skyrocketing cost of living alongside the bipartisan dialogue which is now facing headwinds.
“Let dialogue run parallel with the protests. We are waiting for the end of Ramadhan.” Raila said yesterday at Ufungamano House in Nairobi.
