The government is still watching market forces before announcing the price at which it will buy maize from farmers this harvest season.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said Monday evening that the government has allowed market prices to reach an equilibrium before setting a standard price.
"We also don't want to destabilise private businesses because the government may have given a price that is below the market price," he said.
The DP who spoke during an interview on Citizen TV said maize millers are currently buying maize at between Sh4,000 to Sh5,000 per 90kg bag of maize.
Farmers from Trans Nzoia on Sunday decried low maize prices saying the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has not been buying their maize, leaving them at the mercy of brokers.
The farmers said they were selling a 90kg bag of maize at between Sh3,000 and Sh3,500 to brokers compared to Sh6,000 eight months ago.
"We are calling on the government to announce new maize prices to prevent us from this exploitation," Andrew Sebei, a farmer from Trans Nzoia said.
Farmers want the price set at between Sh4,500 to Sh5,000 in light of the rising cost of living.
Gachagua assured farmers that the government will announce the prices in due course as it seeks to purchase at least one million bags of maize to be maintained as part of the strategic food reserve.
"The government has good plans," the DP said and called on youthful farmers to take advantage of the renewed registration to enable them access to subsidised fertiliser next planting season.
"I would like to ask our farmers to continue selling their maize to the free market, the government is still reviewing before it decides without destabilising the market," he said.
"We must first of all look at market forces so that after we see the need for the government to intervene and buy maize through the National Cereals and Produce Board, that will happen and it will be soon," the DP said.
His remarks come just a day after President William Ruto revealed a plan by his government to start importing yellow maize for livestock.
Ruto said the cost of living revolves around agriculture and thus the focus is on empowering the farmer.
