Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru has raised concerns over the government’s decision to allow duty-free importation of basmati rice, warning that the move is threatening the livelihoods of local farmers in Mwea, one of Kenya’s main rice-producing regions.

In a statement shared on her X account on Thursday, October 30, 2025, Waiguru said that Mwea farmers have invested heavily to produce high-quality Pishori rice, only for their efforts to be undermined by cheap imports that have flooded the market.

“Our Mwea rice farmers have invested heavily to produce high-quality Pishori rice, spending about Ksh. 60 per kilogram,” she said, adding that the decision will make farmers count losses ahead of the harvest.

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“The recent decision to import duty-free basmati rice has flooded the market, pushing prices down just as farmers prepare for a bumper harvest. This threatens their livelihoods and years of progress,” she added

Waiguru’s message comes at a time when rice farmers in Mwea are preparing for their major harvesting season. Many have expressed fears that they may not recover their investments due to the low market prices caused by the influx of imported rice.

The governor urged the national government to act swiftly to protect local farmers, arguing that the country’s food security goals cannot be achieved if local producers are neglected.

“I once again urge the National Government to prioritise the uptake of Mwea rice as a matter of urgency and protect our farmers by supporting local production,” she said.

Waiguru emphasised that the Mwea Rice Irrigation Scheme sustains thousands of households in Kirinyaga and beyond, and warned that continued importation of duty-free rice could collapse the sector entirely.

“Safeguarding this sector means securing thousands of households that depend on rice farming and advancing Kenya’s goal of true food security and agricultural self-reliance,” she added.

Her remarks highlight growing concerns among farmers and local leaders about the effects of trade decisions on domestic agriculture. With the government’s policy allowing duty-free imports to cushion consumers against high food prices, local producers like those in Mwea are now caught in a struggle between surviving market competition and maintaining livelihoods that feed the nation.