Price Control (Essential Goods)

An Act of Parliament to provide for the regulation of the prices of essential commodities in order to secure their availability at reasonable prices, and for connected purposes

1. Short title

This Act may be cited as the Price Control (Essential Goods) Act, 2011.

2. Declaration of essential commodities

(1)

The Minister may, from time to time, by order in the Gazette, declare any goods to be essential commodities for the purposes of this Act and determine the maximum prices of the commodities in consultation with the industry.

(2)

In making a declaration under subsection (1), the Minister shall take into account any relevant treaty or convention ratified by Kenya.

3. Content of order under section 2

An order made under section 2 may contain the maximum price taking into account related costs of essential commodities in any area in Kenya.

4. Commencement of orders

Every order made under this Act shall come into operation on the day on which it is made, unless another date is specified, and every such order shall be published in the Gazette.

5. Offences and penalties

(1)

A person who sells any commodity declared under section 2 above the maximum price commits an offence.

(2)

A person who purchases or offers to purchase any commodity declared under section 2 above the maximum price, commits an offence.

(3)

A person who contravenes the provisions of this Act commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding one million shillings or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both.

6. Regulations

The Minister may make Regulations for the better carrying out of the intent and purposes of this Act.