Kerugoya: The High Court in Kerugoya has given the green light for the government to import 254,000 metric tonnes of duty-free rice. This initiative aims to stabilize the supply of rice in the country and provide consumers relief from increasing prices.

According to Kenya News Agency, the court's decision was rendered by Justice Edward Muriithi, who sanctioned the phased importation in three consignments of 85,000 metric tonnes each. These consignments are planned for March, April, and May 2026. The ruling comes after a petition sought to halt the imports due to concerns about their impact on local producers, particularly in key rice-producing areas such as Mwea, Ahero, West Kano, and Bunyala.

The court acknowledged the necessity of these imports to address the national rice deficit and avert an impending shortage. Justice Muriithi highlighted that Kenya's current rice production falls short of meeting domestic demand, necessitating substantial reliance on imports to fill the gap.

In his ruling, Justice Muriithi pointed out the intersecting interests involved, including public interest in food security, farmers' rights to fair economic returns, and consumers' rights to affordable, quality food. The judge instructed the government to purchase all locally produced and processed rice from farmers, millers, traders, and businesses in rice-growing regions like Ahero, Mwea, Bunyala, and Kano within 30 days, irrespective of their affiliation with cooperatives or Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) groups.

The purchase will adhere to prevailing wholesale market prices, guided by the national market price index and in consultation with farmers and traders. Justice Muriithi emphasized that restricting purchases to cooperative-affiliated groups would disadvantage independent farmers and traders.

Reactions from rice farmers have been mixed, with some expressing concerns that cheaper imported rice could lower local prices and negatively impact farmers already facing high production costs. A farmer leader from Mwea emphasized the need for the government to ensure local rice is purchased and marketed before imports saturate the market.

Kenya's annual rice consumption is estimated at 1.2 million metric tonnes, while domestic production is less than 300,000 metric tonnes, making rice one of the country's most import-dependent staple foods.