Nairobi, May 17 -- China has stepped up rivalry for maize in the global market as it targets Kenya's key sources after cancelling any purchases of the grain from America.

The world's second-largest economy is diversifying its corn source markets from the US to South Africa and Latin America such as Brazil, which are key buying destinations for Kenya's imports currently.

China seems to be expanding trade deals with its allies in the BRICS which comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, who are counteracting the US grip on the world.

The move by China will complicate matters for Kenya, which is relying on imports to address the runaway cost of flour that now stands at Sh208 for a two-kilogramme packet.

High demand for mai...