Kenya has secured 1 million 90kg bags of maize from Zambia to combat soaring unga prices, which have reached up to Ksh170 in some areas due to drought and farmer hoarding. This commitment comes as the government faces pressure to stabilize food costs and replenish national reserves.

• Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe announced the deal with Zambia to supply 1 million 90kg bags of maize.
• The price of a 2kg packet of unga ranges from Ksh153 to Ksh168, up from Ksh130 previously.
• The National Strategic Food Reserve holds fewer than 200,000 bags against a target of 1.7 million, necessitating these imports.
• Farmers were given a 30-day ultimatum to release hoarded maize or face large-scale duty-free imports.
• The country is also grappling with a severe drought affecting over 3 million people, with Ksh4.1 billion released for response efforts.