A Kerugoya High Court has issued a temporary order, blocking the implementation of the importation of duty-free rice worth Ksh50 billion by the government.The order came after the Farmers Party moved to court, suing the Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe for approving the implementation of the importation of 500,000 MT of rice duty-freeOn July 28, 2025, Agriculture Minister Mutahi Kagwe, through a Gazette notice No. 10353, approved the implementation of the importation of 500,000 MT of rice duty-free.
However, the Farmers Party filed a petition on August 7, 2025, at the Kerugoya Constitutional and Human Rights Division, seeking conservatory orders barring implementation of Kagwe’s decision.According to the Farmers Party, the decision by Agriculture Cabinet Minister Kagwe to import duty-free rice was unreasonable, irrational, illegal and a gross violation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
Local farmers disadvantaged
Further, they argue that the decision to import rice for free disadvantages local rice farmers.In their petition, they claim that the local farmers have enough stock to supply the markets, thus there is no need to import rice.
Through their Secretary General, Simon Kamangu, the party avers that the decision by the ministry will prejudice the interests of farmers in Kenya, as well as the economy of Kenya.“It is illogical for the government to import duty-free rice lieu of supporting the local rice farmers to produce qualitatively and quantitatively, as agriculture is the backbone of our country’s economy,” Kamangu states in the petition.In their petition, they claim that the local farmers have enough stock to supply the markets, thus there is no need to import rice.
Through their Secretary General, Simon Kamangu, the party avers that the decision by the ministry will prejudice the interests of farmers in Kenya, as well as the economy of Kenya.
“It is illogical for the government to import duty-free rice lieu of supporting the local rice farmers to produce qualitatively and quantitatively, as agriculture is the backbone of our country’s economy,” Kamangu states in the petition.
“That in the meantime, a conservatory order is issued in terms of prayer No.2 of the notice of motion pending hearing of the application,” Judge Edward Muriithi ordered.The matter will be mentioned on Thursday, August 14, 2025, for further directions.Justice Edward Muriithi, on Monday, August 11, 2025, certified the matter urgent in the view of the relief sought for a conservatory order to stay the implementation of CS Kagwe’s decision.
“That in the meantime, a conservatory order is issued in terms of prayer No.2 of the notice of motion pending hearing of the application,” Judge Edward Muriithi ordered.The matter will be mentioned on Thursday, August 14, 2025, for further directions.
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