The government has warned that Kenya could face a severe rice shortage and soaring prices if the courts uphold a petition seeking to block the importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of duty-free rice,
This comes after the High Court temporarily halted the importation of rice on August 11 after farmers filed a petition arguing that duty-free imports would undermine local stocks stored at the Mwea Rice Growers Cooperative.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, in an affidavit filed before the High Court in Kerugoya, said halting the imports would deepen the cost-of-living crisis and leave households and public institutions scrambling for supplies.
Kenya’s annual rice demand stands at 1.3 million metric tonnes, yet domestic production covers only 20 percent, this leaves a deficit of roughly 1 million tonnes, mostly filled through imports.
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“The importation is necessary to stabilise prices and avert a potential food crisis,” Kagwe stated. He further noted that retail prices for Grade 1 milled white rice have already surged to between ksh190 and Ksh220 per kilogram, up from ksh150 during last year’s duty-free import window.
Projections show that per capita rice consumption will hit 29 kilograms in 2025, with the national population estimated at 54.79 million. This translates to an annual requirement of about 1.5 million metric tonnes, or 125,000 tonnes per month.
Between July and December 2025 alone, Kenya will need almost 625,000 tonnes to meet the household demand for rice.
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The Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) has signed contracts with the Mwea Rice Growers Cooperative to mop up local stocks for supply to government institutions. However, available farmer stocks stand at just 20,000 50-kilogram bags, this is far below the projected demand of over 350,000 bags.
According to Kagwe’s affidavit, the Ministry of Education requires 130,000 bags of Komboka rice, special programmes need 90,000 bags, the State Department for Correctional Services 60,000 bags of Sindano, and the Kenya Defence Forces 40,000 bags of SPR. Other agencies like the National Youth Service, Kenya Police Service, and General Service Unit also have significant rice demands.
The court is expected to issue directions on the matter today, Friday at 2:30 pm.
By Masaki Enock
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