Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has ignited a fiery debate, launching sarcastic accusations against the national government for allegedly sidelining local rice farmers in favor of cheap international imports.
At the heart of the storm lies the fertile Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya’s undisputed rice basket, now facing an existential threat that Waiguru claims could cripple an entire regional economy and undermine national food security ambitions.
Governor Waiguru’s frustration boiled over in a widely covered press conference last week, subsequently amplified by major news outlets.
She accused the government of preparing to allow massive, duty-free rice imports under regional trade treaties before fulfilling its obligation to purchase locally produced rice.
Speaking in Kirinyaga on Thursday, July 31, Waiguru said the government should have prioritized buying locally grown rice before turning to external markets. She argued that rice stores in Mwea were full, yet farmers continue to suffer from low sales.
“We [Kirinyaga] are the leading rice producers in Kenya and the region. I know the government will argue that local rice cannot meet national demand, but before importing, you should first clear the stocks in Mwea,” Waiguru stated.
She added that her silence on the matter would be seen as a betrayal by farmers.
“When I fail to speak out, farmers will say, ‘our governor is watching us suffer without uttering a word,’” she added.
Waiguru’s remarks come days after the government issued a gazette notice approving the duty-free importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of Grade 1 milled white rice. The directive, outlined in Gazette Notice No. 10353 and formalised under Cabinet Memorandum CAB (25)90, aims to avert a looming food shortage.
Defending the move, the Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) said the intervention was necessary due to the rising cost of food, supply chain disruptions, and pressure on low-income households.
“Failure to import under the current shortfall would create a domino effect across the entire food basket,” AFA said in a statement. “This importation is targeted, time-bound, and carefully structured to minimize market disruption.”
The duty-free import window will remain open until December 31, 2025. All rice imports must meet Kenyan and international quality standards and be certified by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
Despite the backlash, the government insists that the interests of local farmers have not been ignored. The Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC) has been procuring rice directly from farmers during the milling process to ensure they have a stable market.
“This intervention is not designed to crowd out local producers,” AFA clarified. “Rather, it is meant to cushion consumers while still safeguarding the interests of local growers.”
Kenya’s rice consumption currently stands at 1.3 million metric tonnes per year, while local production accounts for just 264,000 metric tonnes—only 20 percent of national demand.
In 2022, the country imported 678,088 metric tonnes of rice against a domestic output of 122,045 tonnes. This improved to 191,067.5 tonnes in 2024, yet local supply still falls short.
Long-Term Solutions in Motion
To reduce dependence on imports, the government has partnered with Japan to expand irrigation in key rice-growing regions including Mwea, Ahero, and Bura.
The initiative is part of the National Rice Development Strategy, which aims to enhance irrigation infrastructure, promote value addition, and improve market access for farmers.
“This is a short-term solution in service of a long-term vision,” said AFA Director General Dr. Bruno Linyiru. “We are committed to strengthening food security while empowering and protecting Kenyan farmers.”
