Govt Takes Significant Step to Ease Rice Shortage in Kenya
The move is set to ease pressure on farmers...
✨ Key Highlights
The Kenyan government has approved the duty-free import of 500,000 tonnes of Grade 1 white milled rice until December 31, 2025, to address a rice shortage. This decision, announced in a gazette notice on Tuesday, July 29, aims to ease pressure on the local market and aligns with the East African Community Customs Management Act of 2004.
- 500,000 tonnes of Grade 1 white milled rice will be imported duty-free.
- The import period extends until December 31, 2025.
- The directive was issued by the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury and Economic Planning upon recommendation from the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development.
- This move contrasts with earlier plans to cut rice imports by 50 percent to support local farmers.
- Kenya's monthly rice demand is 100,000 tonnes, but domestic production for 2024/2025 was only 191,000 tonnes.
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Government Proposed Alcohol Policy and Import Approvals - July 2025
The National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA) clarified that its new alcohol policy, launched by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, contains recommendations, not immediate bans, on issues such as alcohol advertising and online sales, ensuring public participation before enactment. The Kenyan government further explained that proposed restrictions on alcohol sales in supermarkets and restaurants are currently proposals from a draft policy, not enacted regulations, with assurances for extensive public consultation. In a separate development, the government has approved the duty-free import of 500,000 tonnes of Grade 1 white milled rice until December 31, 2025, to alleviate a rice shortage, aiming to ease pressure on the local market and aligning with the East African Community Customs Management Act of 2004.
