The High Court in Kerugoya has temporarily blocked the government directive that permitted the duty-free importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of Grade 1 white rice, following a legal challenge by local farmers.
On August 11, Justice Edward Muriithi issued a conservatory order suspending the implementation of a directive issued by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, which had been gazetted under Notice No. 10353 on July 28, 2025.
The decision followed the court’s classification of the case as urgent, paving the way for the temporary suspension.
The Farmers Party had sought the injunction through a Notice of Motion filed on August 7, 2025, labeling the Cabinet decision “irrational, illegal, and in violation of the constitution”. The Party argues the plan would affect the rice stored at the Mwea Rice Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MRGM) stores.
Kirinyaga Senator James Kamau Murango also criticized the government for failing to honor its pledge to buy 50,000 bags of rice from MRGM, revealing that 15,000 bags remain unsold in the cooperative’s stores.
However, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has pledged to protect farmers’ interests, emphasizing that any imported rice would strictly adhere to Kenya’s Grade 1 milled white rice specifications and global quality standards.
“Importation will not disrupt the local market or disadvantage Kenyan farmers. Before this decision was reached, the government, through the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), actively procured and continues to secure rice directly from paddy as it is milled,” noted Dr. Bruno Linyiru, AFA Director General.
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