The Kerugoya High Court has once again extended the conservatory orders halting the privatisation of Mwea Rice Mills (MRM), pending the hearing and determination of petitions filed by two rice farmers.
Judge Edward Muriithi extended the order on November 10, 2025, following a directive for the petitioners to physically serve the Attorney General (AG), the Mwea Rice Growers Cooperative Society Ltd (MRGM), and MRM. This move comes after repeated absences by the AG, prompting the court to set the hearing for December 3, 2025.
“There was no one from the Attorney General’s office, so the hearing has been set for December 3. The costs will await the outcome of the petition,” Judge Muriithi stated during the court session.
The petitioners, Pius Njogu and John Munene, approached the Kerugoya High Court following the enactment of the Privatisation Act 2025. The law, signed by President William Ruto on October 15, 2025, includes the privatisation of Mwea Rice Mills among other state-owned institutions. Njogu and Munene argue that the proposed privatisation could negatively affect local farmers and the broader Mwea rice industry.
The case has drawn attention from rice farmers and industry stakeholders who are concerned that privatisation may compromise the operations and stability of one of Kenya’s key rice-producing facilities. By granting the conservatory orders, the court has temporarily halted any moves toward selling or transferring the mills until the legal questions are resolved.
This development marks a critical moment in the ongoing debate over privatisation policies in Kenya, particularly in sectors crucial to local agriculture and food security. The outcome of the December 3 hearing will likely set a precedent for other cases arising under the Privatisation Act 2025.
The Kerugoya High Court’s decision underscores the judiciary’s role in ensuring that government actions, such as privatisation, comply with legal procedures and consider the rights and welfare of citizens, especially those directly impacted.
