High Court Suspends Duty-Free Rice Import Plan
The scheme covers about 30,000 acres of land and annually produces about 200,000 metric tonnes of rice that contributes over 60% of Kenya’s rice.
The order was issued by Justice Edward Muriithi on Monday after the application was certified urgent. The stay will remain until the case is heard on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Photo/Courtesy
By Juliet Jerotich
The High Court has stopped the government from importing 500,000 metric tonnes of duty-free rice. This is following a petition by the Farmers Party against the Agriculture Ministry’s decision.
The order was issued by Justice Edward Muriithi on Monday after the application was certified urgent. The stay will remain until the case is heard on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
In his ruling, Justice Muriithi stated that the application of conservatory orders was urgent. He suspended the decision by the Cabinet Secretary, published in Gazette Notice No. 10353 of July 28, 2025, pending the hearing.
The Farmers Party condemns the importation decision as unreasonable, illegal, and unconstitutional. The petition, under Petition No. E009 of 2025, has the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, the Agriculture and Food Authority, and other respondents as respondents.
Under Musyoki Musango Advocates, the party argues that the action will damage local rice farmers. They argue that Kenya has enough stock of rice to satisfy the market demand without imports.
Secretary General Simon Kamangu, one of the main petitioners, alleges that the ruling will cause harm to farmers’ earnings and the economy. He asserts the government must emphasize supporting domestic production rather than inviting cheap imports.
Last month, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru urged the government to buy all the rice produced locally before imports are even considered. She conceded that there is not enough rice produced in Kenya to meet demand but insisted local farmers must be prioritized.
Waiguru cautioned that the envisioned duty-free import would be detrimental to Mwea farmers. She underscored that the shops within the area are already flooded and that imports would flood the market with cheap rice, watering down local producers.
Her remarks followed a Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi gazette notice allowing the importation of Grade 1 duty-free rice up to December 31, 2025.
Kirinyaga County is Kenya’s largest rice producer and the location of the Mwea Irrigation Scheme. The scheme covers about 30,000 acres of land and annually produces about 200,000 metric tonnes of rice that contributes over 60% of Kenya’s rice. The crop earns farmers close to Ksh. 15 billion every year, hence its significance in terms of food security and the economy.
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