Duty-free imports no panacea for food crisis

The government must by now be painfully aware that bringing in large quantities of duty-free commodities is no panacea for the high cost of living.

From edible oil to sugar imports, the verdict by players is the same; Zero or negligible effect.

Kenya has in the pipeline importation of large quantities of rice cooking oil, sugar, wheat and beans via the Kenya National Trade Corporation as part of efforts to tame the rising cost of essential commodities.

The duty-free window, expected to remain open until January 2024 — though it can be shut earlier if the quota is exhausted before the lapse of the deadline — has cause brouhaha among a section of manufacturers.

Duty-free finished edible oil imports, local makers say, will make insignificant price difference given distribution costs.

In the case of sugar, imports that kicked off in January have not cooled down the prices.

This should be a wake-up call for the government to consider other means of cushioning Kenyans from the high food prices.