“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 court ruling read in part. 

“That the application shall be served for hearing/directions on Thursday, 14/8/2025.”

The conservatory order will stay in place for now, keeping the rice importation plan suspended until the petition is resolved. The judge also issued a penal notice, warning that anyone who disobeys or ignores the order will face legal action.

Meanwhile, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) pledged to protect farmers’ interests, stating that only Grade 1 milled white rice meeting stringent Kenyan and international quality standards would be allowed.

In late July, Kenyan rice farmers raised concerns that excessive rice imports were undermining their produce, leaving them without a market due to unfair competition. They claimed some dishonest traders were rebranding imported rice to resemble Mwea rice, further hurting their sales.

Shortly after, Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director General Bruno Linyiru visited Mwea and assured the more than 8,500 farmers that the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) would purchase all rice in their stores and process payments without delay.

The DG of AFA went on to say, “As the regulator, we have also noticed concerns raised by the society and we also know this could be true, that there are a few unscrupulous traders who could be packaging imported rice to make it look like the Basmati rice or the Pishori rice that we have in Mwea. We will be cracking down on this.”

Linyiru noted that Kenya produces about 191,000 metric tonnes of milled rice each year—enough to meet the country’s needs for only about two months, given the average monthly demand of 100,000 metric tonnes. He added that 94,000 metric tonnes of rice have been imported since January, underscoring the need to boost local production and reduce dependence on imports to bridge the shortfall.

In a change of tune, the government, through a gazette notice on July 17, notified the general public that, “Pursuant to section 114 (2) of the East African Community Customs Management Act 2004 as read with item 20 of Part B of the fifth schedule of the act, the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning upon recommendation by the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, directs that 500,000 metric tons of Grade 1 milled White rice be imported into Kenya duty-free on or before 31st December 2025.” 

With a single decision, the promises made to farmers by senior government officials collapsed. While it was true that Kenya’s rice production fell short and imports were necessary to bridge the gap, granting a duty-free import window delivered a double blow to hardworking rice farmers and prolonged their struggles.

The government’s baffling yearly habit of opening duty-free import windows for essential consumer goods had appeared to remain firmly in place.