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• The confirmation came during a high-level visit to the Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Co-operative Society (MRGM) by senior government officials.
• The delegation was led by Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director General Bruno Linyiru and included Acting Agriculture Secretary Peter Owoko, National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Managing Director Samuel Ndung’u Karogoh, AFA Director of Crops Calistus Kundu, and Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) Managing Director Lucy Anangwe.

Rice farmers in Mwea and other major growing regions have received a major boost after cooperatives confirmed that all locally produced rice delivered to government agencies has been fully taken and paid for.

The update eases fears over stock build-up and delayed payments, concerns that have previously triggered unrest among growers.

The confirmation came during a high-level visit to the Mwea Rice Growers Multipurpose Co-operative Society (MRGM) by senior government officials.

The delegation was led by Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) Director General Bruno Linyiru and included Acting Agriculture Secretary Peter Owoko, National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) Managing Director Samuel Ndung’u Karogoh, AFA Director of Crops Calistus Kundu, and Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) Managing Director Lucy Anangwe.

The team toured MRGM stores to assess rice uptake, payments, and general farmer concerns amid ongoing public debate over imports and the future of local production.

MRGM Chairperson Ndege Muriuki and Managing Director Anthony Waweru said farmers have been offloading stock without any complaints.

They confirmed that payments have been made promptly and in full.

“Offloading of stocks has been ongoing, and we have no complaint. Payment was done as agreed by KNTC,” Waweru said.

He added that the cooperative carried over less than one per cent of stock from 2025 into 2026, a major improvement from the previous year’s 30 per cent carry-over.

“As of 31st December, I can confirm that KNTC has paid for all rice that was delivered. Based on our projections, KNTC is ready to take up all the rice that farmers bring.”

MRGM, founded in 1964, is Kenya’s oldest and largest rice cooperative. It represents growers in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, which produces about 65 per cent of all rice grown in the country.

The cooperative also dismissed claims that imports are hurting local farmers. Waweru said Mwea rice occupies a premium market niche that does not directly compete with cheaper imported varieties.

“Our rice is niche and premium. There is no competition between imported rice and locally produced Pishori,” he said.

While most imported non-basmati rice sells for Sh80 to 100 per kilo, Mwea Pishori retails at between Sh140 and 160 due to its aroma and quality.

Production has been rising steadily.

Kenya recorded 123,916 metric tonnes of milled rice in 2022, 137,438 MT in 2023 and 169,291 MT in 2024.

In 2026, paddy production is projected to hit 302,000 MT, equivalent to about 181,200 MT of milled rice.

Despite the gains, domestic production still covers less than 20 per cent of national demand, making imports necessary to stabilise supply.

Government data shows that the importation of 250,000 MT in late 2025 helped ease prices, although the majority of imports, more than 95 per cent, are non-basmati varieties that do not affect the premium Pishori market.

Officials said the government remains committed to structured marketing to prevent exploitation of farmers.

Through NCPB and KNTC, the state has assured farmers that all paddy and milled rice offered for sale will be purchased and paid for within 30 days.

“This ensures every available bag of locally produced rice is taken up promptly and protects farmers from price shocks,” said AFA Director General Bruno Linyiru.

Farmers holding rice stocks have been encouraged to contact NCPB or KNTC for immediate sale.

Source : the-star