President Uhuru Kenyatta has on Monday directed all retailers in the country to  cut the prices of Unga  to Ksh.100 for a two-kilogramme packet in a deal with millers aimed at diffusing public outrage over the soaring  cost of living.

Speaking during a press conference at State House Nairobi, President Kenyatta noted a cycle of high maize flour cost in the lead-up to the elections, citing the 2013, and 2017 periods.

"When I came into office. The first victim we had to address was to intervene to bring down this price. As an urgent priority. Again. In May of 2017. Three months to the August 2017 election, the price of unga shot up to an unprecedented Kenya shillings 189 shillings. This is the highest price experience between independence and 2017, " said Uhuru.

He added, " So the national question, ladies and gentlemen, that all of us must pose from this trend is. Is it a coincidence? That we have an anger crisis just before every election. Is this? The result of a market dynamic or is it a deliberate outcome? " he posed.

Uhuru has challenged maize traders to exercise social ethics calling on them to stop exploiting consumers.

"There are some whou used the practice of hoarding to control prices? But I ask you today affording results in increased prices to unaffordable levels and results inconsequent instability. I once again reiterate that the damage is highest on corporate citizens and this is a fact. That we have seen in many countries. "

The political class was also not spared by the Head of State as they were urged to exercise social responsibility.

"It is not just our corporate citizens. It is also us in the political class. And how we manipulate this so-calledh hunger crisis every election? An attempt to gain political mileage. We in the political class. Was so unfortunate. But shocking. But we have the audacity to politicize the misery. Of the most vulnerable in our society."

President Kenyatta said the price of Ksh.100 for a 2kg packet of Unga will take effect immediately until further notice.