Local Farmers Cry Foul as Government Pushes for More Rice Imports Despite Surplus Stocks
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By James Onsinyo,
A fresh wave of concern has erupted across Kenya’s agricultural sector following the government’s controversial move to authorize the importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of duty-free rice, just as local farmers enter peak harvest season.
The decision, gazetted on July 28, 2025 under Notice No. 10353, has drawn widespread backlash from agricultural stakeholders, farmer cooperatives, and economists, who warn that the continued reliance on cheap foreign imports is crippling Kenya’s domestic rice industry and undermining food security.
At the heart of the criticism is the timing and scale of the imports. Local rice producers in Mwea, Ahero, and Bura—regions that form the backbone of Kenya’s rice sector—report healthy harvests and significant unsold stocks. They fear the influx of untaxed rice will saturate the market, depress prices, and threaten thousands of livelihoods across the value chain.
“This isn’t just bad policy, it’s economic sabotage,” said Prof. Fred Ogolla, speaking on behalf of advocacy group Team EVOLVE. “Instead of strengthening Kenya’s ability to feed itself, the government is opting to enrich foreign exporters and a few politically connected elites at home.
Kenya consumes nearly one million tonnes of rice annually, but currently produces only about 300,000 tonnes, a gap government officials claim must be filled through importation. However, critics argue the solution lies in strategic investment, not foreign dependency.
“Our neighbor Tanzania has already shown the way,” Prof. Ogolla noted. “By banning imports and focusing on improving local production, they not only achieved rice self-sufficiency but now export the surplus. Kenya can do the same.”
Research indicates that Kenya’s rice-producing regions have the capacity to produce over 1.5 million tonnes of rice annually with proper irrigation and input support. Instead, domestic farmers face rising production costs, punitive taxes, and stagnant market access, making them uncompetitive compared to subsidized foreign rice.
Duty-Free Imports: A Short-Term Fix with Long-Term Harm
The government has justified the duty-free window—set to run through December 31, 2025—as a means to stabilize consumer prices amid inflation and rising food costs. But economists and past data cast doubt on this rationale.
A similar quota in 2024 allowed the importation of 500,000 tonnes of rice under the same duty-free terms. According to USDA data, actual imports fell short, and retail prices remained largely unaffected, exposing the policy as ineffective at consumer-level relief.
“It’s a false promise,” said an agricultural economist who requested anonymity. “The only winners are traders exploiting loopholes to profit off tax-free imports. Meanwhile, local businesses, farmers, and workers bear the cost.”
The policy has also raised fiscal red flags. With up to 35% duty typically applied to rice imports, waiving these taxes deprives Kenya of much-needed revenue at a time when the government is increasing taxes on citizens through pay-as-you-earn deductions, VAT, and levies.
Broader Economic Concerns and National Interest
Opponents of the policy frame the issue not just as an economic one, but as a matter of national sovereignty and strategic security.
“No serious nation gambles with its food supply,” said Ogolla. “The U.S., China, and Japan all consider food self-sufficiency a matter of national interest. Kenya should do the same.”
Beyond agriculture, stakeholders warn the consequences could ripple across manufacturing, logistics, and retail—sectors deeply intertwined with local food production. Job losses, business closures, and rising social inequality are among the predicted outcomes if imports continue to displace domestic output.
Call to Action: Build Local, Think Long-Term
Team EVOLVE and its allies have outlined a series of urgent demands:
Immediate cancellation of Gazette Notice No. 10353.
Reinstatement of the 35% import duty to level the market playing field.
Increased public investment in irrigation, milling, marketing, and value addition under the National Rice Development Strategy.
Opening the sector to broader local and regional investors, not just foreign governments or a select few.
A transparent, time-bound roadmap to achieving rice self-sufficiency by 2030.
In their closing remarks, Team EVOLVE emphasized that Kenya must transition from a consumption-driven economy to a production-centered one if it hopes to stabilize its currency, create jobs, and achieve genuine development.
“You can’t grow a strong economy while importing what you could produce. Imports should complement—not compete with—local production,” said Ogolla. “We must evolve our mindset, our policy, and our priorities. Not in 2027. Now.”
As the debate continues, the future of Kenya’s rice industry—and the broader goal of food sovereignty hangs in the balance.
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