In Summary Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe assures local rice stocks prioritized over imports. Duty-free import of 500,000 tonnes of rice allowed from July 1 to December 31, 2025. Kenya faces 770,000-tonne rice deficit against 264,000 tonnes local production. KNTC to buy 5,000 tonnes of local rice at KSh 100–160 per kg within one month. Farmers in Mwea, Nyatike demand protection from cheap imports undercutting prices. Government to expand irrigation to boost rice output by 2032. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has assured rice farmers that local stocks will be cleared before duty-free imports are prioritized, addressing concerns over a six-month import window opened on July 1, 2025. Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Nairobi on August 1, 2025, Kagwe emphasized that the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) will purchase over 5,000 tonnes of local rice, valued at KSh 500 million, with payments guaranteed within one month to support farmers. The duty-free window, gazetted under the East African Community Customs Management Act, allows 500,000 tonnes of Grade 1 milled white rice to address a 770,000-tonne annual deficit, with Kenya’s 2024/2025 production at 264,000 tonnes against a 1.3 million-tonne demand. Farmers in Mwea and Nyatike have protested, fearing cheap imports from Pakistan and India, priced at KSh 70–80 per kg, will undercut local rice at KSh 100–160 per kg. “We will ensure local rice is bought first to protect our farmers’ livelihoods,” Kagwe said, responding to concerns raised by the Kenya National Farmers Federation, which warned that 16,000 farmers risk losses. The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) confirmed only rice meeting Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) requirements will be imported, with KNTC tasked to clear local stocks first. Farmer Gorrety Omondi from Mwea expressed cautious optimism but highlighted payment delays. “If KNTC pays promptly, we can reinvest, but imports must not flood our markets,” she said. Peter Ochar from Nyatike added, “Cheap imports threaten our record harvests.” The Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme in Nyatike yielded over 6 tonnes per hectare in 2024, contributing to the national output. The government, in collaboration with Japan, is expanding irrigation schemes in Mwea, Ahero, and Bura to boost rice production to 846,000 tonnes by 2032 under the National Rice Development Strategy. Kagwe urged farmers to adopt high-yield varieties to remain competitive. The AFA will monitor import impacts and engage stakeholders before the window closes on December 31, 2025, to ensure a balance between consumer needs and farmer protection.

Kagwe Assures Local Rice Stock Clearance Before Duty-Free Imports

In Summary

  • Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe assures local rice stocks prioritized over imports.
  • Duty-free import of 500,000 tonnes of rice allowed from July 1 to December 31, 2025.
  • Kenya faces 770,000-tonne rice deficit against 264,000 tonnes local production.
  • KNTC to buy 5,000 tonnes of local rice at KSh 100–160 per kg within one month.
  • Farmers in Mwea, Nyatike demand protection from cheap imports undercutting prices.
  • Government to expand irrigation to boost rice output by 2032.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has assured rice farmers that local stocks will be cleared before duty-free imports are prioritized, addressing concerns over a six-month import window opened on July 1, 2025.

Speaking at a stakeholder meeting in Nairobi on August 1, 2025, Kagwe emphasized that the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) will purchase over 5,000 tonnes of local rice, valued at KSh 500 million, with payments guaranteed within one month to support farmers.

The duty-free window, gazetted under the East African Community Customs Management Act, allows 500,000 tonnes of Grade 1 milled white rice to address a 770,000-tonne annual deficit, with Kenya’s 2024/2025 production at 264,000 tonnes against a 1.3 million-tonne demand. Farmers in Mwea and Nyatike have protested, fearing cheap imports from Pakistan and India, priced at KSh 70–80 per kg, will undercut local rice at KSh 100–160 per kg.

“We will ensure local rice is bought first to protect our farmers’ livelihoods,” Kagwe said, responding to concerns raised by the Kenya National Farmers Federation, which warned that 16,000 farmers risk losses. The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) confirmed only rice meeting Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) requirements will be imported, with KNTC tasked to clear local stocks first.

Farmer Gorrety Omondi from Mwea expressed cautious optimism but highlighted payment delays. “If KNTC pays promptly, we can reinvest, but imports must not flood our markets,” she said. Peter Ochar from Nyatike added, “Cheap imports threaten our record harvests.” The Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme in Nyatike yielded over 6 tonnes per hectare in 2024, contributing to the national output.

The government, in collaboration with Japan, is expanding irrigation schemes in Mwea, Ahero, and Bura to boost rice production to 846,000 tonnes by 2032 under the National Rice Development Strategy. Kagwe urged farmers to adopt high-yield varieties to remain competitive.

The AFA will monitor import impacts and engage stakeholders before the window closes on December 31, 2025, to ensure a balance between consumer needs and farmer protection.