Shadrack Nyakoe
By Jared Otieno
Prof. Fred Ogolla, the leader of Team Evolve, has strongly criticized the government’s decision to allow duty-free importation of 500,000 metric tons of grade-one milled white rice until December 31, 2025, warning that the move threatens the livelihoods of Kenyan farmers and undermines national food security.
Speaking in Nairobi, Prof. Ogolla described the policy, gazetted on July 28, 2025, as “a deliberate effort to sabotage local farmers while enriching a few politically connected importers.” He noted that Kenya’s key rice-producing regions, including Mwea, Ahero, and Bura, have adequate stocks and are still harvesting, making the duty-free imports unnecessary and harmful.
Prof. Ogolla pointed out that Kenya consumes about one million tons of rice annually, but local farmers produce only 300,000 tons. Instead of investing in domestic capacity to bridge the gap, he said, the government was exposing local farmers to unfair competition from cheap imports. “Kenya’s rice sector has the potential to produce over 1.5 million metric tons annually if properly supported,” he said.
He warned that the duty-free imports would destabilize domestic value chains, cause job losses, and destroy local agribusinesses, including millers, traders, and logistics providers. Previous duty-free quotas, he said, did not reduce consumer prices but enriched a handful of importers.
Prof. Ogolla demanded the immediate cancellation of the duty-free import quota, reinstatement of the 35 percent import duty, and significant investments in irrigation and local rice processing. He also called for a transparent strategy to achieve rice self-sufficiency by 2030.
“We cannot allow policies that weaken our food sovereignty and destroy local businesses while creating jobs abroad,” he said, urging farmers, civil society, and ordinary citizens to oppose the imports and push for investment in domestic agriculture.
Patmoz
