Farmers win round one as court halts duty-free rice importation

A combine harvester at a rice field at the Bura Irrigation and Settlement scheme in Tana River County. [File, Standard].

The government has suffered a setback after the High Court in Kirinyaga issued conservatory orders halting the importation of duty-free rice into Kenya.

Justice Edward Muriithi, sitting in Kerugoya, certified the application by the Farmers Party as urgent and suspended implementation of Gazette Notice No. 10353 dated July 28, which authorised the importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of rice duty-free.

The directive, issued by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, will remain suspended pending a hearing scheduled for August 14.

The Farmers Party, part of the United Opposition, challenged the decision, arguing through Musyoki Musango Advocates that it was irrational, illegal, and violated the Constitution.

Secretary General Simon Kamangu said the move would severely disadvantage local farmers, who already have sufficient rice to supply the market.

Kamangu further criticised the decision as illogical, stating that the government should instead support local farmers to boost production.

Following the Gazette Notice, local rice farmers raised concerns over unfair competition and market access for their produce.

However, AFA Director General Bruno Linyiru defended the plan, citing a significant shortfall in local production.

The Authority said that Kenya consumes at least 1.3 million tonnes of rice annually, while local production accounts for just 264,000 metric tonnes, barely 20 per cent of national demand.

In a statement on July 31, Linyiru said the move is intended to cushion consumers against rising food costs while safeguarding the interests of local farmers.

He assured that importation will not disrupt the local market or disadvantage Kenyan farmers.

“Failure to import rice under the current shortfall would lead to either acute food scarcity or a sharp spike in prices not only for rice but also for other staples such as maize flour and wheat products,” he said.

“This measure is aimed at safeguarding national food security, stabilising prices, and ensuring that rice remains affordable and accessible to all Kenyans, particularly low-income households,” he said.