Waiguru demands protection for local farmers as duty-free rice imports flood market

Speaking after delivering the 2025 State of the County Address at the Kirinyaga County Assembly, Waiguru emphasised that while Kenya continues to face a shortfall in rice production, the interests of local farmers must come first.

“Even when told that the rice grown in the country is not enough for all Kenyans, we should first prioritise the local farmers’ rice before importing rice,” Waiguru said.

The governor called on the government to purchase all locally produced rice before allowing duty-free imports, arguing that the influx of cheaper foreign rice during the harvest season is hurting farmers in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme by depressing prices.

Waiguru further proposed that Mwea farmers be granted first right of purchase when the Mwea Rice Mills is privatised.

“When privatisation is being done, priority should be given to Mwea farmers to purchase those government shares before any other private individual,” she added.

Her remarks come amid growing disquiet among rice growers following a directive by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, allowing the importation of duty-free Grade 1 rice until December 31, 2025.

Local farmers have protested the move, claiming that duty-free imports have already saturated the market, undercutting the prices of homegrown rice.

Last week, Mwea Rice Growers Chairman Ndege Muriuki warned that the policy could have devastating effects on farmers as the main harvest season begins.

“One good thing about Pishori rice is that it has always had a ready market and fetched a fair price, but now, with imported rice entering duty-free, we fear that our local Basmati rice will remain unsold,” Muriuki said.

“We are soon harvesting our main season crop, but may suffer huge losses even with bumper yields.”