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City officials raid supermarkets selling unga at over Sh75


Nairobi County officials conducted a swoop in the city centre on supermarkets and retailers selling a two-kilogramme flour packet above Sh75.

The operation comes after Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri last month gave a directive that millers and traders sell a 2kg flour packet at not more than Sh75.

The raid was conducted by Trade Department officers led by City Hall licensing officer Michael Akoko.

The officials visited various supermarkets in the city centre including Tuskys and Naivas Supermarkets along Kenyatta Avenue, Eastmatt along Tom Mboya Street, among other supermarkets.

FULLY COMPLIED

“We were carrying out maize flour price compliance operation as part of our routine licensing inspections. We have gone to various supermarkets and most of the have complied with the government advise. It is only Eastmatt Supermarket which has not fully complied but the rest we have gone to have complied,” said Mr Akoko on Thursday.

During the operation, Eastmatt Supermarket was found selling the 2kg flour packet of Jogoo Grade 1 sifted maize meal at Sh85 and Jimbi at Sh82.

Eastmatt manager Moses Mwangi, however, defended the prices saying that millers are yet to lower their prices, leaving the supermarket management with no option but to have the prices as displayed at their counters.

“Those who sell the maize flour to us have not reduced their prices to comply with the directive by the government and so it is really putting us at a tight spot adjusting our prices,” said Mr Mwangi.

Other supermarkets were nonetheless compliant with the same size packets going at the advised prices.

At Tuskys Supermarket along Kenyatta Avenue, 2kg Jogoo maize meal was going at Sh75, the same price as Soko, while Kifaru sifted maize meal was retailing at Sh71.

OPERATION TO CONTINUE

Mr Akoko said that the operation will continue until all supermarkets and other retail outlets in the capital city are covered and compliance achieved.

He added that the team will prepare a comprehensive report which will then be forwarded to the county Trade department for further action.

“It will continue for days as it is supposed to be carried all over the county,” he said.