By John Kariuki
The High Court in Kerugoya has issued a conservatory order stopping the government from implementing a contentious decision to import 500,000 metric tonnes of rice duty-free. The directive, contained in Gazette Notice No. 10353 dated July 28, 2025, had been approved by the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries but is now suspended pending further hearing.
The order was granted on August 11, 2025, by Honourable Justice Edward M. Muriithi following an urgent application filed by the Farmers Party. The court certified the matter as urgent, citing the potential economic ramifications for Kenyan rice farmers. The case will be heard on August 14, 2025, for further directions.
According to the Farmers Party, the government’s decision posed a direct threat to the livelihoods of thousands of local rice growers, particularly in Kirinyaga County, Kenya’s rice basket. They argued that flooding the market with cheap duty-free imports would cripple local production, undermine the national food security agenda, and negate years of investment in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme.
In its earlier press statement, the party condemned the move as ill-advised, warning that it could reverse gains made in supporting smallholder farmers. The leadership emphasized that Kenya has the capacity to meet a significant portion of its rice demand if farmers are adequately supported with infrastructure, irrigation water, modern milling facilities, and fair market access.
Party officials stressed that the government should instead prioritize purchasing and distributing locally grown rice, coupled with investment in value addition, rather than opening the market to potentially subsidized foreign rice. They maintained that such imports would not only hurt farmers but also weaken the country’s resolve to achieve self-sufficiency in staple food production.
The court’s decision offers a temporary reprieve to farmers as the legal battle unfolds. The Farmers Party has urged rice growers, cooperatives, and agricultural stakeholders to remain vigilant and united in defending the local market, vowing to continue advocating for policies that protect and promote Kenyan agriculture.