Maize traders at the Kenyan boarders are complaining that they are still being charged 50 per cent import duty despite the government zero rating imports two weeks ago. Traders told the Star that Kenya Revenue Authority officials are demanding the fee, saying they are yet to be informed about the scrapping of duty. Last month, National Treasury CS Henry Rotich announced the zero rating of maize imports from Ethiopia and Mexico to ease maize shortage which was effective immediately. The government was also hoping that the zero-rated imports would further reduce the price to Sh115, but this could take time. “If you combine the drought, which has led to a delay in rains hence some farmers planted late, plus the army worm challenge that has affected parts of the Rift Valley region, we may have a prolonged maize shortage.

Source: The Star April 18, 2017 20:15 UTC