The government’s decision to open a duty-free window for importing 500,000 metric tonnes of milled white rice has sparked sharp criticism from opposition leaders and some Kenya Kwanza allies. The policy, which runs through December, is being labeled a blow to local farmers and a doorway to corruption. Opposition figureheads Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa accused the administration of President William Ruto of colluding with cartels to profit from food imports while sidelining local producers.
“This is a criminal regime,” PLP party leader Martha Karua said during a press briefing. “It harms its citizens by promoting imports at the expense of local agriculture and cuts education funding, which is a basic right.”
The backlash is not limited to opposition circles. Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru and Maara Member of Parliament Joseph Mugweru have also voiced concern. “Promote our farmers who have excess rice in their farms,” Waiguru urged. Mugweru echoed this, saying, “Let them buy from farmers.”
Despite the uproar, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe insisted that local rice would be prioritized. Speaking in Nyeri County at the Kenya School of Agriculture, Kagwe stated, “We are assuring all farmers that the government is going to buy all stock from the farmers. The imports won’t affect local production.”
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) defended the move in a press release. The agency warned that failing to import rice under current conditions could trigger food shortages and price hikes, not only for rice but also for maize flour and wheat products.
“Such a scenario would increase the cost of living and place an unsustainable burden on millions of Kenyan households,” AFA stated.
Opposition leaders also accused the government of secretly importing 25,000 metric tonnes of sugar to be repackaged and sold to Kenyans during the temporary shutdown of mills in Western Kenya. They claim the closure created an artificial shortage to justify the import.
“We know that the three-month closure of the mills in Western was to realize artificial shortage in order for secret importation and re-packaging of the unfit sugar for sale,” said Eugene Wamalwa.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka added a political warning. “President William Ruto, you are living on borrowed time, and we are telling you that one term is a reality.”
In response to public concern, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) issued a statement on July 31, denying that unsafe sugar had entered the market.
“KEBS would like to dispel these allegations,” the agency stated. “Both locally produced and imported sugar undergo mandatory and rigorous inspection, testing, and certification before release to the market.”
As the rice import plan moves forward, pressure continues to mount on the government to prove its commitment to food security without undercutting Kenyan farmers or fueling public distrust.
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