Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina is now calling on the Kenyan parliament to act following the sudden withdrawal of a petition that sought to stop rice importation.
In a statement on Thursday, December 11, the lawmaker condemned the Farmers Party for the sudden withdrawal of the petition that sought to stop the importation of 500 tons of rice into the country.
MP Maina, who is a close associate of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, questioned the motivation behind the withdrawal, accusing the Farmers party of playing politics with the livelihoods of thousands of farmers.
While describing the move as unfortunate, unacceptable, and a betrayal, the legislator urged the National Assembly to look into the matter and ensure protection for the farmers set to be affected by the move.
"I call upon all stakeholders, including parliament, farmer associations, and civil society, to remain vigilant. We must not allow political games to open the floodgates for reckless importation that threatens food security, livelihoods, and the sovereignty of our local value chains," she said.
The petition, initially supported by several interested parties, had secured conservatory orders from the High Court, temporarily stopping the massive rice importation.
However, with the withdrawal, the orders that stopped the rice importation have been removed, clearing the way for the said imports to enter the Kenyan market within weeks.
According to the vocal lawmaker, the sudden withdrawal of the petition will negatively affect local production, prices, and undermine years of investment by hardworking Kenyans.
"Farmers Party is fully aware that their decision to withdraw the case in its entirety will cause those protective orders to lapse, so what is their motivation? she questioned.
"Kenyan farmers deserve defenders who do not wobble, waiver or withdraw when pressure mounts. This withdrawal is not just a legal manoeuvre; it is an economic betrayal," Maina added.
In her statement, the legislator attributed the sudden withdrawal of the petition to a political game, further describing it as a legal manoeuvre aimed at advantaging only a few people.
