CS KAGWE WARNS OF LOOMING CRISIS IF RICE IMPORT BAN STAYS

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has cautioned that Kenya could face an acute rice shortage and soaring prices if the court upholds a ban on importing 500,000 metric tonnes of duty-free rice.
Kagwe told the National Assembly’s Agriculture Committee that Kenya’s annual rice demand stands at 1.3 million metric tonnes, with local production covering only 20% of consumption. The remainder is met through imports.
He noted that Grade 1 milled white rice now retails at KSh 190–220 per kilo, compared to KSh 150 during last year’s duty-free import period. With per capita consumption projected at 29 kilos this year for a population of 54.79 million, the country will require 1.5 million tonnes in 2025, translating to about 125,000 tonnes monthly.
The Kenya National Trading Corporation has secured only 20,000 bags from local growers, far short of the 350,000 bags needed for institutions such as the Ministry of Education, correctional services, and the Kenya Defence Forces.
The High Court halted the imports on August 11, with the Kerugoya court expected to give further directions on August 15. Kagwe warned that without the imports, food prices will spike further, worsening the cost-of-living crisis.