Kenya maize subsidy extended as rains delay harvesting.

The State’s subsidised maize flour programme will continue until there are sufficient stocks of the commodity. Agriculture secretary said the programme will be extended beyond September as earlier planned because of ongoing heavy rains that have hampered maize harvest in the main breadbasket areas of the North Rift. Under the subsidy, 2 kg packet retails at Sh 90 while the one-kilogramme one sells for Sh 47. North Rift has experienced a lot of rains in the recent past and this has delayed the prospects of early harvest. The new maize stocks from the North Rift region is now expected to enter the market at the end of October.