A High Court in Kirinyaga has temporarily stopped the government from importing 500,000 metric tonnes of duty-free rice.
In a conservatory order issued by Justice Edward Muriithi on Monday, August 11, the court suspended a decision by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi that was published in a gazette notice on July 28, 2025.
The ruling came after the court approved an urgent application filed by the Farmers Party against the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, and the Agriculture and Food Authority.
The case, filed under Notice of Motion dated August 7, 2025, will be heard on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
"Conservatory order is issued in terms of prayer No. 2 of the Notice of Motion pending hearing of the application," Justice Muriithi directed in the court document.
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The Treasury Cabinet Secretary had authorized the tax-free import of Grade 1 milled white rice before December 31, 2025, following recommendations from Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
Local farmers have strongly opposed the plan, saying it will hurt domestic rice production currently stored at Mwea Rice Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society warehouses.
The government announced the duty-free rice import policy in late July as a measure to reduce pressure on local rice prices.
"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 tonnes of Grade 1 milled White rice be imported into Kenya duty-free on or before 31st December 2025," the original gazette notice stated.
