High Court Halts Kenya’s Plan to Import Duty-Free Rice

In Summary

• High Court in Kerugoya suspends duty-free import of 500,000 tonnes of rice pending hearing.
• Farmers Party petition claims imports harm local rice farmers and lack public input.
• Order issued on August 11, 2025, with hearing set for August 14, 2025.
• Imports aimed to address rice shortage, but farmers argue local stocks remain unsold.
• Non-compliance with court order carries penal consequences.
• Ruling aims to protect farmers’ livelihoods and ensure fair market practices.

On August 11, 2025, the High Court in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga County, issued a conservatory order halting the Kenyan government’s plan to import 500,000 metric tonnes of duty-free Grade 1 milled white rice, as outlined in Gazette Notice No. 10353 dated July 28, 2025.

Justice Edward Muriithi’s ruling, responding to a petition by the Farmers Party, suspends the directive by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe until a hearing on August 14, 2025.

The Farmers Party, led by petitioner Alex Musyoki, argues that the imports threaten local rice farmers, particularly in Mwea, which accounts for a significant portion of Kenya’s rice production.

The petition claims the government’s assertion of a rice shortage is misleading, as substantial local harvests from July 2024 to September 2025 remain unsold, including stocks worth KSh 500 million at the Mwea Rice Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MRGM).

Musyoki contends that cheap imports could depress local rice prices, violate the Price Control Act and EAC Customs Management Act, and lack public participation.

Justice Muriithi certified the petition as urgent, citing irreparable harm to farmers if imports proceed. The court warned of penal consequences for non-compliance with the order.

The ruling reflects concerns about protecting local farmers’ livelihoods amid fears that imported rice could flood markets, undermining fair pricing and market stability.

The government’s import plan, intended to bridge a reported rice supply gap, has sparked debate, with farmers demanding prioritization of local stocks and greater transparency.

The outcome of the August 14 hearing will determine whether the import suspension holds or if the government can proceed with its plan.