Weekly News Roundup Nō 33 / Aug 2025
High Court of Kenya stops government’s plan to import 500,000 metric tonnes of rice
The High Court has temporarily stopped the government from implementing a Cabinet decision allowing the duty-free importation of 500,000 metric tonnes of rice. Justice Edward M. Muriithi issued a conservatory order suspending a directive by Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, which had been published in a gazette notice on July 28, 2025.
The order came after the court certified as urgent an application seeking to block the move. The application, filed under a Notice of Motion dated August 7, 2025, will be heard on August 14, 2025.
“Conservatory order is issued in terms of prayer No. 2 of the Notice of Motion pending hearing of the application,” the judge directed. CS Mbadi directed the importation of duty-free Grade 1 milled white rice on or before December 31, 2025, saying the decree was made after recommendations from his Agriculture counterpart Mutahi Kagwe. Farmers have heavily opposed the move, citing that it would affect the local produce that is stored at Mwea Rice Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (MRGM) stores.
The Agriculture and Food Authority (AFA) has promised to safeguard farmers’ interests, assuring the public that the State will only permit Grade 1 milled white rice that meets strict Kenyan and international standards.
“Importation will not disrupt the local market or disadvantage Kenyan farmers. Before this decision was reached, the government, through the Kenya National Trading Corporation (KNTC), actively procured and continues to secure rice directly from paddy as it is milled,” AFA Director General Dr. Bruno Linyiru said in a statement.
Government Fast-Tracks Infrastructure to Boost Galana/Kulalu Agricultural Scheme
The Kenyan government is advancing major infrastructure projects to unlock the full agricultural potential of the Galana/Kulalu Food Security Project in Kilifi County. On Tuesday, Government Delivery Unit Coast Regional Director Sherry Litunya inspected multi-billion-shilling road, bridge, and electrification works, which are at various stages of completion, ranging from 30 to 99 per cent. Once completed, the bridge will connect the expansive irrigation scheme to the Malindi–Sala Gate Road, improving the delivery of farm inputs and the transportation of produce.
KeRRA Coast Regional Director Timothy Kendagor stated that major substructure works were complete, and the contractor had transitioned to superstructure works. He added that the bridge is expected to be ready by March 2026.
“There is a lot of maize under irrigation in this scheme, and this bridge is very critical in connecting the main Malindi-Salagate road to the Kalana Kulalu irrigation scheme,” he said. “In March (2026), we should be expecting the trucks going to the farm to be passing over this bridge,” he added.
Eng. Kendagor also noted that the Sh2.3 billion Baricho Bridge and Approach Roads project, about 50 kilometres downstream, is 95 per cent complete, with the bridge itself being 99 per cent done.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is also repairing potholes on the Malindi–Sala Gate Road following a request from the National Irrigation Authority, which manages the scheme.
According to KeNHA Engineer Peter Maruti, there are plans to upgrade the road to accommodate heavy commercial vehicles transporting machinery and produce.
“There is a need to transport machines and farm produce efficiently. Strengthening this road will ensure it can handle heavy trucks in and out of the farm,” Eng Maruti said. The Malindi–Kakuyuni section is currently the most damaged, with numerous potholes disrupting transport.
Kenya and Iran form committee to resolve ban on tea imports by Iran
Kenya and Iran have formed a joint trade committee to lift a year-long ban on Kenyan tea imports into Iran. Kenya and Iran have established a joint committee to address trade obstacles within 60 days, paving the way for the lifting of the ban on Kenyan tea exports to Iran. The breakthrough was reached during the 7th Session of the Kenya–Iran Joint Commission for Cooperation held in Nairobi, which was co-chaired by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Iran’s Minister of Agriculture Dr Gholamreza Nouri Ghezalcheh.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said Kenya and Iran had agreed to draft strict regulations to prevent such criminal activity in future and safeguard the integrity of Kenyan tea. He acknowledged that the ban has caused significant losses to Kenyan tea farmers and exporters. “Kenya’s tea sector is one of our largest foreign exchange earners, and we must protect it from unscrupulous traders who damage our reputation,” said Kagwe.
Iran is among the top 10 importers of Kenyan tea. Data from the Tea Board of Kenya shows that in 2024 Iran imported 13 million kilogrammes of tea worth Sh4.26 billion. The data shows that Pakistan has maintained its position as a leading importer of Kenyan tea, accounting for 34.7 per cent of the total export volumes worth Sh70 billion.
Other key export destinations for Kenyan tea were Egypt, whose import volume was 86.90 million kilograms worth Sh23.96 billion; the United Kingdom, which imported 57.44 million Kilograms valued at Sh16.99 billion; and the United Arab Emirates, which imported 30.50 million kilograms valued at Sh10.27 billion. Russia imported 28.46 million kilograms whose value was Sh7.43 billion; India imported 17.13 million kilograms worth Sh3.94 billion; Saudi Arabia imported 15.92 million kilograms, earning Kenya some Sh6.02 billion; and Yemen imported 14.13 million kilograms of tea worth Sh5.52 billion during the same period. On the overall, Kenya’s tea was shipped to 96 export destinations compared to 92 in the year 2023. The joint committee is also expected to develop a framework to restore trust and ensure compliance with quality standards, with the ultimate goal of resuming tea exports before the end of the 60-day period.
EAC, Kenya launch biotech plan to boost trade, biodiversity.
Kenya is advancing agricultural biotechnology with new trials for genetically modified bananas, cassava, yams, and sorghum at KALRO research stations. Bt cotton is already under commercial cultivation, and Bt maize and virus-resistant cassava are in advanced trial stages. Genetically modified food aid is allowed after safety checks, and seven genome editing projects have been approved to improve crop traits. All trials are supervised by the National Biosafety Authority (NBA) under Kenya’s Biosafety Act.
Kenya has joined other East Africa Countries in coming up with a regional biotechnology strategy which prioritizes equitable access to biotechnology benefits, preservation of biodiversity, and public education to build trust and acceptance. Kenya’s National Biosafety Authority (NBA)- which is a competent authority for biosafety, and designated as the National Focal Point for both the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Biosafety Clearing House participated in the validation of the strategy which aims to harmonize biotechnology policies and regulations to overcome fragmented national frameworks that slow innovation and complicated trade. The East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO) Executive Secretary Dr. Sylvance Okoth while addressing the delegates from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, USA among others in Nairobi, called on the experts to look deeper into the pillars of the strategy and incorporate views presented during the workshop.
” Let us help Partner States lagging behind,” said Dr. Okoth during the three-day forum and who heads the Commission which is an institution of the East African Community (EAC) with the mandate to promote and coordinate the development, management and application of Science and Technology to support regional integration and socio-economic development.
National Biosafety Authority Acting Director Biosafety Awareness, Assessment and Collaborations Mr. Josphat Muchiri underscored the importance of having a harmonized strategy.
“This 10(ten)-year strategy, projected to run from 2026-2036, will boost crucial regional adoption of safety and implementation standards. As a country we have been in the forefront of championing for this strategy,” said Mr. Muchiri.
The East African Community (EAC) envisions a transformative future where biotechnology drives socio-economic development, food security, healthcare, environmental sustainability, and industrial growth across its Partner States from 2026/27 to 2036/37.
This Regional Biotechnology Strategy, developed by the East African Science and Technology Commission (EASTECO), aims to guide the safe, secure, and responsible use of innovative biotechnological tools and products, harmonizing policies and fostering collaboration to maximize benefits while mitigating risks.
“Biotechnology as a critical enabler for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, with the EAC Treaty emphasizing Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) as pillars for regional integration and development. EASTECO coordinates STI initiatives to support socio-economic progress across all eight Partner States, with development partners collaborating closely under its facilitation,” reads the strategy.