A High Court in Kerugoya has stopped plans by the National Treasury and Economic Planning to allow for importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of rice into the country duty-free until the matter is heard and determined.
The orders follow an application filed by Farmers Party challenging the gazette notice by National Treasury Cabinet John Mbadi dated July 28, 2025 granting millers and importers a duty-free window to import half a million metric tonnes of milled white rice until December 31, 2025.
“It is hereby ordered; THAT the application for conservatory order to stay the implementation of the Cabinet Secretary’s decision published in Gazette Notice NO. 10353 of 28/7/2025 approving implementation of
importation of 500,000 MT of rice duty free is certified urgent in view of the relief sought,” read the order by Justice Edward Muriithi.
Last week, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) which is the second respondent in case defended the decision as strategic, in a bid to avert supply shortfall following shocks in supply and prices on the international market.
Following the orders by the High Court, the party said the decision by the Executive was a disadvantage to farmers who has sufficient stock to supply the market.
“Under the Conservatory orders to stay the implementation filed on 3rd August, 2025, the party avers that
the decision by the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary to import duty free rice was unreasonable, irrational,
illegal and in gross violation of the Constitution of Kenya-2010,” said the party in a statement.
According to AFA Kenya currently consumes an estimated 1.3MT of rice annually against the production capacity of 254,000MT with the balance being imported to meet the demand.
The court now expects to hear and give directions on the matter on August 14, 2025.
