Mombasa residents hit by unga shortage

The rush for maize flour has hit the Port city of Mombasa with less than a week to elections.

Both consumers and retailers raised concern over the shortage of the commodity, a situation which has forced most supermarkets to start rationing their sales per individual client.

A spot check at most supermarkets within the Mombasa Central Business District (CBD) and the city’s outskirts established that there was a growing demand for maize flour against limited supply. For the better part of yesterday, customers were flocking to Naivas, Bondeni and A-One supermarkets in the CBD as well as Chandarana Food plus in Nyali where various brands of Unga were trading at between Sh98 and Sh 100. 

This is even as it emerged that some residents had started food stocking in anticipation of the rush and closure of retail shops ahead of the election. 

“I came prepared, I wanted to pick a whole bundle of Maize flour but I was told clients are limited to only four pieces. However, I will try if I can get more in other outlets or return later for more,” explained Collins Nzuki, a resident of Kizingo.

At Bondeni and A-One supermarkets, attendants said they were forced to introduce the rationing because they had limited packets of the commodity.