The High Court has suspended the government's plan to import 500,000 tonnes of Grade 1 milled white rice following a petition by the Farmers Party, which claims the importation is harmful to local farmers and traders.
Justice Edward Muriithi, sitting at the High Court in Kerugoya, issued a conservatory order on Monday. It remains in force pending the hearing of the application filed by the political outfit.
The interim order suspends implementation of the gazette notices issued by the Cabinet Secretaries for the National Treasury (John Mbadi) and Agriculture (Mutahi Kagwe) on July 28, 2025, approving the duty-free importation.
The importation was to continue until December 31, 2025, as the State sought to cushion consumers against rising costs of food and ease pressure on the local market.
Justice Muriithi certified the case as urgent and directed the petitioners to furnish the respondents with the court papers ahead of the hearing scheduled on August 14.
The respondents include the two Cabinet Secretaries, the Agriculture and Food Authority, the Commissioner for Customs & Border Control, the Attorney General, and the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC).
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