The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has clarified the government's stance on rice imports, highlighting their role in securing Kenya's food supply despite ongoing efforts to boost local production in Mwea, Kirinyaga County.
Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, in a statement to the National Assembly, emphasized that Kenya's rice consumption currently stands at approximately 1.8 million metric tonnes annually, while domestic production ranges between 150,000 and just over 300,000 metric tonnes. In the 2024/2025 season, local farmers produced about 303,384 metric tonnes of paddy, covering only 15 to 23 percent of national demand.
Reasons for Continued Imports
- Kagwe stressed that the persistent gap between supply and demand necessitates imports to ensure food security and prevent price volatility.
- The drying process for freshly harvested paddy, which takes one to two months before milling, creates a supply lag that imports help to bridge even during harvest periods.
- The import market mainly consists of affordable, high-volume non-basmati rice, which complements the locally produced aromatic basmati and Pishori varieties favored by premium consumers.
Support for Local Farmers
Addressing concerns over unsold local rice stocks, the government has intensified procurement efforts through the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) and the National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB). As of mid-July 2026, KNTC had ordered over 50,000 bags and purchased more than 30,320 bags of milled rice valued at over Ksh 233 million from local cooperatives and farmer groups. Additionally, the NCPB acquired 70,656 bags of paddy during the 2025/2026 financial year.
These interventions aim to clear surplus stocks and provide a stable market for Mwea rice producers, reinforcing the government's commitment to sustaining the livelihoods of local farmers while balancing national food needs.
