The High Court is set to hear a case challenging the branding of 'pishori' on various rice brands, with t he Consumer Federation of Kenya (COFEK) seeking answers from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

From the petition document shared to  Kenyans.co.ke on August 13, COFEK filed the petition at the Milimani High Court, seeking to compel KEBS to properly discharge its constitutional and statutory mandate on rice branding standards.

“ The hearing of the Notice of Motion is dispensed with, the matter will proceed to the hearing of the main Petition,” stated the affidavit.

Adding, “The Petitioner to the Petition upon the respondents within 7 days. The respondents will file a response to the Petition within 14 days of service. The Petitioner granted leave to file a further affidavit within 7 days of service. The case will be mentioned on 30th September 2026 to confirm compliance and take directions.”

📌 What You Need to Know

The case lists the State Law Office and KEBS as the first and second respondents, respectively.

COFEK filed the Petition and an accompanying Notice of Motion dated August 7, 2026, under a certificate of urgency, backed by an affidavit sworn by COFEK’s CEO, Stephen Mutoro.

In the application, the lobby sought conservatory orders compelling KEBS to discharge its mandate, arguing the matter required urgent judicial intervention before irreparable harm occurred.

Justice Nyaundi Patricia Mande, however, declined to certify the application and Petition as urgent, noting the orders sought mirrored those already contained in the main Petition.

The judge further directed that the hearing of the Notice of Motion be dispensed with entirely, allowing the matter to proceed straight to the main Petition hearing.

COFEK was granted seven days to serve the Petition on the respondents, who will then have 14 days from service to file their formal responses.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke