Unga Prices During the Moi, Kibaki, Uhuru and Ruto Eras

Maize flour, popularly known as ‘Unga’, remains Kenya’s staple food, with demand staying high regardless of the price. However, the cost of Unga often defines the country’s cost of living.

Over the years, the price of Unga has risen and fallen under different Kenyan Presidents, Daniel arap Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta, and William Ruto. In this segment, Times Digital Kenya highlights how much a packet of Unga cost during each of these four regimes.

The Moi Era

During President Daniel arap Moi’s regime, the price of a 2kg packet of Unga ranged between Shs 22 and Shs 50. The government tightly controlled prices through heavy subsidies during this period. The low prices were regulated by the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB).

The affordability of Unga during the Moi era helped keep the cost of living low for many Kenyan households.

The Kibaki Era

There were high expectations for economic transformation immediately after Mwai Kibaki took over from Moi in 2002. During his initial years, the price of Unga retailed between Shs 55 and Shs 75. However, it was a worrying period in his second term as the price of maize flour rose to about Shs 95 in 2009.

This increase was largely attributed to the post-election violence, which disrupted supply chains and led to an economic slowdown. A few years later, matters got worse as the price of Unga shot up to Shs 120 and Shs 130 in 2011. This led to protests from a section of Kenyans who demanded that the government take action to reduce the cost of the staple food.

Uhuru Kenyatta Regime

One of the main agendas of Uhuru Kenyatta’s Jubilee administration was to reduce the price of maize flour to Shs 60. Upon taking over power from Mwai Kibaki in 2013, Uhuru promised to lower the cost, which then ranged between Shs 100 and Shs 115 when his predecessor left office.

Nevertheless, for the better part of Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime, a 2kg packet of Unga sold for between Shs 97 and Shs 150. The price then hit an all-time high after the COVID-19 period, with the commodity retailing at over Shs 200, even surpassing the price of wheat flour.

The Ruto Era

One of President William Ruto’s key promises upon taking office in 2022 was to reduce the price of Unga. However, a year into his term, prices remained high, forcing the president to reassure Kenyans that his government would bring them down in due time.

By the end of 2023, the Kenya Kwanza administration had managed to bring down the cost of a 2kg packet of Unga to around Shs 145. The president pledged to continue supporting farmers through subsidized fertilizers, which he said would boost maize production and ultimately lower the price of unga. The price of the commodity consequently dropped to an average of Shs 140 in 2025.

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