By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 11 August 2026 - Kenya will import one million 90-kilogram bags of maize to replenish the country's strategic reserves after adverse weather disrupted the 2026 harvest, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has announced.
Kagwe said the country could face a maize deficit of up to 5.4 million bags by the end of September, raising concerns over food supply and the price of maize flour in the coming months.
The planned importation will therefore cover less than a fifth of the projected shortfall, leaving the government with the possibility of taking further measures should domestic supplies decline more than anticipated.
According to Kagwe, the 2026 crop was affected after rains arrived earlier than expected before a prolonged dry spell hit during critical stages of crop development. The weather disruption affected crop establishment and flowering, particularly in some of Kenya's major maize-growing regions.
The situation was further compounded by delays in the distribution of subsidised fertiliser, which affected farmers' access to key inputs during the planting season.
Kagwe warned that the impact could extend beyond the current harvest because farmers who earn less from a poor crop may struggle to finance the next planting season.
The government plans to channel the imported maize into the strategic grain reserves, with a government-to-government arrangement among the procurement options being considered.
The intervention comes as maize flour prices are already putting pressure on household budgets. Government figures presented by Kagwe show that a two-kilogram packet of maize flour retailed at between KSh153 and KSh163 in June.
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The shortage is also being reported amid elevated maize prices in parts of the country. FEWS NET recently reported that maize prices remained above their five-year average in most monitored markets, reflecting reduced household stocks, high demand and transport costs.
Kenya's maize situation has also been worsened by crop losses reported in major producing areas. In Uasin Gishu, the county agriculture department recently projected significant crop failure following a prolonged dry spell, with farmers preparing to replant in September.
For consumers, the immediate concern is whether the government's planned import will arrive in time to prevent further increases in the cost of maize flour.
With the projected deficit standing at 5.4 million bags, the government may have to consider additional imports or release stocks from strategic reserves if domestic production falls further.
Kenya to Import One Million Bags of Maize as Shortfall Threatens Food Prices
Kenya could face a maize deficit of up to 5.4 million bags by the end of September.