Kenya high court suspends 500,000-tonne rice import plan pending petition
Farmers opposed the decision, citing that it would affect the local produce.
KENYA – The High Court in Kerugoya has issued a conservatory order halting the planned importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of rice, pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by the Farmers Party.
The order, issued by Justice Edward Muriithi on August 11, suspended the implementation of a decision by the directive issued by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and his Agriculture counterpart, Mutahi Kagwe, which was published in Gazette Notice No. 10353 on July 28, 2025.
According to the gazette notice, the Cabinet Secretary had approved the importation of the rice duty-free, a move that the Farmers Party is now challenging in court.
In its petition, the Farmers Party argued that the move could have far-reaching consequences for local farmers and the broader agricultural sector. The party said the plan would undermine domestic production, particularly affecting rice stored at the Mwea Rice Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MRGM) facilities.
Justice Muriithi certified the case as urgent, noting the relief sought warranted immediate court intervention.
“That the application for a conservatory order to stay the implementation of the Cabinet Secretary’s decision published in Gazette Notice No. 10353 of 28/7/2025 approving the implementation of the importation of 500,000 MT of rice duty-free is certified urgent in view of the relief sought,” the ruling read in part.
The court directed that the application be served to the respondents, with the matter scheduled for hearing and further directions on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
In the meantime, the conservatory order will remain in force, effectively freezing the rice import plan until the petition is resolved. The judge also issued a penal notice warning that any disobedience of the order would carry legal consequences.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has maintained that it will safeguard farmers’ interests, stating that only Grade 1 milled white rice meeting strict Kenyan and international standards would be allowed should the import proceed.
“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,” AFA Director General Dr. Bruno Linyiru said in a statement.
This case comes amid heightened debate over agricultural import policies, with stakeholders warning against measures that could destabilise local markets.
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