Kenya’s High Court on 11 August issued a conservatory order blocking the government from implementing a Cabinet decision that would have allowed the duty-free importation of up to 500,000 metric tonnes of rice. Justice Edward M. Muriithi suspended a 28 July gazette notice signed by Trade Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi after the court found an application by the Farmers Party raised issues requiring urgent determination. The contested directive authorised traders to bring in Grade 1 milled white rice on or before 31 December 2025, a move Mbadi said followed recommendations from Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to bolster national food reserves. The Farmers Party argued the large-scale imports would depress prices and undermine domestic producers. Local growers, including the Mwea Rice Growers Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society, warned they still hold significant stocks from the last harvest. The court scheduled a hearing for 14 August to consider the merits of the petition. In a statement, the Agriculture and Food Authority said any imported rice would have to meet strict Kenyan and international standards and insisted the Kenya National Trading Corporation continues to buy paddy from local farmers, offering them a guaranteed market. The ban remains in place until the court rules on the case.