High cost of living and changing lifestyles drive rice consumption

Once considered an occasional meal, rice is increasingly becoming a daily staple, especially among urban families and young people seeking cheaper, faster and more preferred food options.

The recent fuel price hike has further pushed up the cost of basic commodities, leaving many families with little money to spend on food and other essential needs. To cope, households are shifting to meals that are quicker to prepare, consume less cooking energy and are relatively pocket-friendly.

Rice is now steadily finding its way onto many Kenyan dining tables, particularly in urban areas.

Timothy Njagi, a food security expert said rice consumption in Kenya has grown significantly over the years and now exceeds one million tonnes annually.

He attributed the growing preference for rice to unstable maize flour prices, increased imports of cheaper Asian and Pakistani rice, and changing consumer preferences, especially among urban residents.

“Rice has become more accessible due to cheaper imports and changing lifestyles. Many urban consumers are looking for foods that are quick to prepare and affordable,” Njagi said.

A spot check by the Star in several supermarkets in Nairobi found that a kilo of maize meal retails at between Sh70 and Sh100, depending on the brand and outlet, while imported long-grain and premium rice retails at between Sh110 and Sh180 per kilo.

Although rice may sometimes appear more expensive than maize flour at purchase, Njagi said it is cheaper in the long run because it cooks faster and uses less fuel.

The rise in rice consumption is also being driven by urbanisation and changing eating habits among younger consumers.

“Ugali and wheat-based meals can be time-consuming to prepare, and some people are also reducing their consumption for health reasons,” he said.

“Rice can be cooked in many different ways such as pilau, biryani and vegetable rice, making it more appealing as a balanced meal. The availability of rice cookers has also made preparation easier.”

Njagi noted that rice is now Kenya’s second most preferred staple after maize, followed by wheat.

He said local production for wheat has been declining over the years, forcing the country to rely heavily on imports, and that disruptions in traditional wheat import markets such as Russia and Ukraine have also affected supply and increased costs.

“Kenya is now increasingly sourcing wheat from countries such as Argentina at a higher cost,” Njagi said.

Dr Ruth Musila, director at the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) Mwea Centre, said in an earlier interview with the Star that rice consumption in Kenya has more than doubled over the past decade.

“Rice is slowly overtaking ugali in many Kenyan households. This shift is largely driven by the youth, who prefer rice because of its quick cooking time and versatility,” Musila said.

Per capita rice consumption in Kenya increased from 12 kilogrammes in 2016 to 28 kilogrammes in 2022.

Rice is now considered the third most important staple crop after maize and wheat. However, Kenya still imports nearly 80 per cent of the rice consumed locally due to low domestic production.

In 2024 alone, the country’s rice import bill stood at Sh67.9 billion.

“This over-reliance on imports exposes the country to price volatility, foreign exchange pressure and food insecurity,” Musila warned.

For farmers, the rising appetite for rice has created new business opportunities.

Hilary Murimi, a rice farmer from Mwea, says he has witnessed the growing demand firsthand since he ventured into rice farming in 1996 after inheriting land and farming knowledge from his parents.

“When I started farming rice, a kilo was selling for less than Sh50. Today, it can go for as much as Sh150. Having rice in your house today is like having gold. You can call traders at night, they send money immediately through mobile phone transfer, and collect the rice the following day,” Murimi said.

He said the increasing demand has also encouraged farmers to adopt modern technologies to improve production and reduce post-harvest losses.

“We previously harvested manually, which caused huge losses, and we would burn the rice straw afterwards. Today, modern harvesters have helped reduce losses, save time and even create value from rice straw through composting or selling it.,” he said.

Health experts said the shift towards rice consumption should still be accompanied by balanced nutrition.

Gladys Mugambi, head of the Division of Health Promotion and Education at the Ministry of Health, confirmed that rice consumption has increased steadily over the years.

She said rice, maize and wheat are all major carbohydrate sources and, when consumed excessively, can contribute to increased fat accumulation in the body.

“Most grains consumed today are highly processed. During processing, important nutrients such as B vitamins are removed, yet these vitamins are essential in helping the body utilise starch properly,” Mugambi said.

She encouraged Kenyans to embrace wholesome and balanced meals alongside rice, ugali and wheat products.

The Economic Survey 2026 shows that Kenya imported 785,930 tonnes of rice in 2025 at a cost of Sh55.11 billion, making rice one of the country’s most expensive food imports. For the first time, Kenya spent more money importing rice than unmilled wheat.

According to KALRO, Kenya’s annual rice production ranges between 230,000 and 300,000 tonnes, against a national demand of more than one million tonnes per year.

Demand for rice continues to grow rapidly due to population growth and changing dietary preferences. As a result, imports account for between 80 and 88 per cent of the rice consumed in the country, with most imports coming from Asia and Tanzania.

Rice production in Kenya is mainly concentrated in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme in Kirinyaga county, which contributes about 80 per cent of the country’s locally produced rice.

The remaining 20 per cent comes from smaller irrigation schemes across the country, including Ahero in Kisumu county, West Kano in Kisumu, Bunyala in Busia, Bura and Tana irrigation schemes in Tana River county, as well as the Lower Kuja irrigation scheme in Migori county.

Researchers at KALRO say improved seed varieties could help bridge the production gap and reduce dependence on imports.

Sammy Kagito, a senior research scientist and agronomist at KALRO Mwea Centre, said improved rice varieties are critical in strengthening food security and increasing farmers’ incomes.

“With improved seed varieties, farmers can produce more food for their families while also earning income from a ready market,” he said.