Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Mutahi Kagwe has warned of a looming rice crisis in Kenya, citing potential price spikes and acute shortages if a ban on importing 500,000 metric tonnes (MT) of duty-free rice is upheld by the courts. He argues this import is crucial to stabilize prices and prevent a food crisis, given that local production meets only 20% of the country's demand.

• Kenya faces an annual rice deficit of approximately 1 million MT, with domestic production only covering 20% of the 1.3 million MT demand.
• The current retail price of Grade 1 milled white rice has already surged to between Ksh.190 and Ksh.220 per kilogram, up significantly from Ksh.150 last year.
• The Kerugoya court is expected to give directions on the import ban on Friday, August 15, following a temporary High Court injunction issued on August 11.