High Court halts State’s 500,000-tonne rice import plan

By Newsflash Writer

The High Court has suspended a government plan to import 500,000 tonnes of Grade 1 milled white rice, following a petition by the Farmers Party, which claims the move would harm local growers, traders, and suppliers.

Justice Edward Muriithi, presiding at the High Court in Kerugoya, on Monday, August 11, 2025, issued interim orders stopping the importation until the case is heard and determined. The suspension affects gazette notices issued on July 28, 2025, by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, which had authorised duty-free imports.

The planned imports, scheduled to run until December 31, 2025, were aimed at cushioning consumers from rising food prices and easing pressure on the local market. Justice Muriithi certified the matter as urgent and directed the Farmers Party to serve the respondents before the hearing set for Thursday. The respondents include the two Cabinet Secretaries, the Agriculture and Food Authority, the Commissioner for Customs and Border Control, the Attorney-General, and the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC).

Gov’t challenged

The Farmers Party argues that the planned imports would undercut local producers and traders, many of whom already hold rice stocks, risking severe financial losses if large-scale, duty-free consignments flood the market.

The petition claims the government approved the imports without prior notice, amounting to unlawful control and stabilisation of food products without an emergency. It cites violations of the Price Control (Essential Commodities) Act, 2011, and the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), disputing the government’s claim of a shortfall in Grade 1 rice.

“This is not true because the Treasury and Agriculture Cabinet Secretaries cannot claim famine when they have not fully purchased local harvests from the paddy for three seasons,” the party states in its court papers, without providing specific reserve figures.

Farmers Party lawyer Alex Musyoki told the court that unprocessed rice remains at the paddy, with an abundant supply of Grade 1 rice available from both farmers and local importers. He warned that without the court’s intervention, prices would inevitably drop due to the imports, causing losses for farmers, importers, and retailers.

Impact on farmers and market stability

Mr Musyoki further argued that the sudden, unannounced importation would depress retail prices further, making harvests from July 2024 to July 2025 commercially unviable and jeopardising the livelihoods of thousands nationwide.

The petition also demands that the government provide evidence of a significant rise in Grade 1 rice prices between January and July 2025 to justify the imports.

“The respondents continue to commit constitutional violations and procedural irregularities against rice farmers to benefit a few suppliers,” Mr Musyoki said, alleging breaches of economic rights and the right to livelihood.

The Farmers Party also voiced concern over possible misuse of public funds through the KNTC, claiming it is overseeing the imports in favour of select companies while depriving the exchequer of substantial tax revenue.

The court will decide on Thursday whether to extend or lift the suspension on the rice import plan.