Nairobi, Jan. 30 -- At least 250 traders have applied for import licences to bring in maize under the duty-free window as they seek to cash in on the waiver issued by the government.

The document seen by the Business Daily shows that the application to the Ministry of Agriculture was made between December 16-30, even as just a handful of millers requested to bring in the produce.

The document indicates that just 22 millers have made a formal requisition to the ministry to be allowed to ship in the commodity in the next seven months.

Millers now want the government to prioritise them before licensing the traders to ensure that the processors do not miss out on allocation.

"The priority should go to millers before anyone else is allocat...