NAIROBI, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Kenya will let traders freely import and sell maize to ensure there are enough supplies of the staple food in the drought-hit east African nation, the government said on Tuesday.

A prolonged dry spell has left some 10 million people, or about a third of the population, needing food aid and the authorities have declared a state of national emergency.

"The Cabinet, after review of the food situation in the country, directed that maize imports and marketing be liberalized with immediate effect," a statement from President Mwai Kibaki's office said.

Previously, importers had to be vetted by the agriculture ministry before being allowed to bring in maize. Maize millers also had to be registered to be able to buy maize from the national cereals board.

Kenya imported 22,737 tonnes of white maize last week from South Africa, a fraction of the millions of bags it is seeking after crops were destroyed by last year's post-election crisis.

Drought and the high costs of inputs also constrained production after the violence ended, depleting reserves and sending prices of maize flour, a staple in many Kenyan homes, more than doubling in less than a year.

Kibaki's statement said the cabinet agreed a food subsidy programme should target the most affected communities. (Reporting by Duncan Miriri; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Peter Blackburn)

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