Rice imports: Waiguru accuses State of ‘ignoring’ Mwea farmers

By Newsflash Writer

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has faulted the government’s move to import 500,000 metric tonnes of duty-free rice, even as national authorities defend the decision as a necessary intervention to avert an impending food crisis.

Speaking in Kirinyaga on Thursday, 31 July, Waiguru expressed concern that the government failed to consult or consider the state of local rice stocks before turning to external sources.

She said stores in the rice-rich Mwea region are full, and local farmers feel sidelined by the move.

“We [Kirinyaga] are number one in rice production not only in Kenya, but in the region,” said the governor. “I know that according to economics, we shall be told that the rice which we grow is insufficient to feed the Kenyan population. However, before you import rice from outside, our Mwea stores are full.”

She added that government agencies should have prioritized clearing existing local stock before resorting to imports. “You could have first taken the rice in the stores, then we embark on importing more rice from outside. When I fail to echo this, our farmers will say ‘our governor is watching us suffer without uttering a word’,” she said.

Gov’t cites urgency and market pressure

Waiguru’s remarks come in the wake of a government directive allowing duty-free importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of Grade 1 milled white rice. The approval was published in Kenya Gazette Notice No. 10353 of 28th July 2025 and formalized under Cabinet Memorandum CAB (25)90.

The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has defended the move, citing growing pressure on food supply and escalating prices, particularly among low-income households.

Kenya consumes an estimated 1.3 million metric tonnes of rice annually, yet local production stands at only 264,000 metric tonnes—just 20 percent of national demand. Traditionally, the shortfall has been bridged by imports. However, global supply disruptions and recent price shocks have made rice harder to access, especially for the poor.

“Failure to import under the current shortfall would create a domino effect across the entire food basket,” AFA stated. “This importation is targeted, time-bound, and carefully structured to minimize market disruption.”

The duty-free import window will remain open until 31st December 2025, and all rice must meet both Kenyan and international quality standards, with certification from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

Safeguarding farmers while boosting supply

Responding to criticism like that voiced by Governor Waiguru, the government insists that the interests of local farmers have not been ignored. The Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) has been procuring rice directly from farmers during the milling process to guarantee a ready market for locally produced rice.

“This intervention is not designed to crowd out local producers,” said the AFA. “Rather, it is meant to cushion consumers while still safeguarding the interests of local growers.”

Kenya has routinely relied on imports to supplement local rice production. In 2022, the country imported 678,088 metric tonnes against a local output of just 122,045 tonnes. The figures improved slightly in 2023 and 2024, with local production rising to 191,067.5 metric tonnes, covering 20.47% of demand—still far from sufficient.

To reduce long-term import reliance, the government has partnered with Japan to expand irrigation in Mwea, Ahero, and Bura. These efforts are part of the National Rice Development Strategy, which focuses on improving irrigation infrastructure, enhancing access to inputs, developing structured markets, and encouraging value addition.

“This is a short-term solution in service of a long-term vision,” said AFA Director General Dr. Bruno Linyiru. “We are committed to strengthening food security while empowering and protecting Kenyan farmers.