Kalonzo accuses Ruto of crippling local rice farmers with cheap imports
By Kenneth Mwenda, October 12, 2025Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has accused President William Ruto’s administration of destroying the livelihoods of local rice farmers by allowing large-scale importation of cheap rice.
Speaking during an opposition rally in Kirinyaga County on Sunday, October 12, 2025, Kalonzo claimed that Ruto’s government had awarded contracts to close allies to import tonnes of rice at low prices, undermining local farmers’ efforts.
“Ruto huyu amearibu bei ya mchele. Ni kweli si kweli? Uhuru akajaribu wakati ule kuleta maji kutoka Thiba Dam lakini maji haijaingia vizuri. Tulishirikiana wakati wa mimi na Kibaki, na serikali ya Japan, kuimarisha ukulima wa mpunga, ama mchele, lakini Ruto amearibu kila kitu,” Kalonzo said.
In addition to Kalonzo, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has also faulted Kenya Kwanza over rice imports, saying farmers are being undermined.
He added that the president’s move to import rice was meant to flood the market and drive down prices, leaving local farmers struggling to sell their harvests.
“Sasa hivi amepatia marafiki zake kandarasi walete …. za mchele kwa bei rahisi ili kuaribu bei ya mkulima,” he said.
Farmers decry unfair imports
His remarks come amid rising tension among farmers in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, who have been protesting against the importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of duty-free rice.
In July, Mwea farmers urged the government to halt rice importation until it had bought the local stock lying in stores. They argued that the imports had flooded the market and hurt their earnings.
Also watch: Mwea rice farmers ask for a lasting solution to their challenges.
According to a Gazette Notice issued by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, the government authorised the importation of Grade 1 milled white rice duty-free before December 31, 2025. The move followed recommendations from Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe.
Farmers, however, said the government’s decision was unfair since thousands of bags of rice from last season’s bumper harvest remain unsold at the Mwea Rice Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MRGM).
Kirinyaga Senator James Murango also criticised the government, saying farmers were still waiting for payment for over 50,000 bags of rice the state had promised to buy.
“Farmers are suffering. They have not been paid, and the government has not bought their produce. Yet it is rushing to import rice,” Murango said.
In August 2025, the High Court granted the government temporary relief to import duty-free rice but limited the quantity to 250,000 metric tonnes for three months. Justice Murithi of the Kerugoya Law Court ruled that the state could proceed with the Kenya Gazette Notice only to that extent, pending a full hearing.
The petitioners, who opposed the initial plan to import 500,000 tonnes, argued that the move would harm local farmers by flooding the market with cheap rice. However, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe defended the imports, saying they were necessary to bridge a national shortage and stabilise prices amid rising consumer costs.