Mwea rice farmers are protesting the government's decision to import 500,000 metric tonnes of duty-free rice by December 31, 2025, arguing it will negatively impact their unsold local stock and market.

• The importation was directed by Cabinet Secretary for Treasury John Mbadi following recommendations from Agriculture counterpart Mutahi Kagwe.
• Farmers like John Munene and Pius Njogu, along with Kirinyaga Senator James Kamau Murango, criticize the haste to import given their bumper harvest and unsold 50,000 bags of rice at MRGM Mwariko stores.
• The farmers claim the previous Uhuru Kenyatta regime bought local stock before importing, and they are still awaiting a May payout and subsidized fertilizers.