Prolonged drought has caused a 3.7 percent decline in formal milk deliveries to processors, prompting the Government and dairy industry stakeholders, to roll-out measures to restore supplies and cushion farmers and consumers from disruptions.
Principal Secretary (PS) for Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, announced that milk deliveries fell from 84.4 million litres in June to 81.3 million litres in July 2026, with preliminary indications pointing to a further decline in August.
Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi, Thursday, Mueke attributed the decline primarily to prolonged dry conditions that have reduced pasture and increased pressure on animal feeds.
“The real issue is fodder pressure due to lack of rain,” Mueke explained, noting that the dry conditions have affected not only Kenya, but also neighbouring countries.
He noted that the reduced availability of feed has lowered milk production, consequently limiting supplies to processors and causing intermittent shortages of some milk brands and pack sizes in retail outlets.
To address the situation, the PS disclosed that the Government will work with the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA) and other feed millers, to identify areas with surplus feed stocks and facilitate their distribution to dairy farmers through cooperatives and processors.
Mueke stressed that supporting farmers was central to restoring the supply chain, observing that inadequate feeding, directly affects milk yields.
He informed that the Government has also approved the duty-free importation of 500,000 tonnes of yellow maize for use as a raw material in animal-feed manufacturing, a measure he indicated, is expected to ease pressure on feed manufacturers and help contain production costs.
“The necessary gazettement is expected next week, paving the way for feed millers to import the maize,” stated Mueke.
The PS further announced that the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), would intensify monitoring of milk production and the movement of milk from farms to processors, to ensure farmers receive fair prices and adequate quantities reach the formal market.
This, according to the PS, follows concerns that some farmers are diverting milk to informal buyers, where they receive better prices, depriving processors of raw milk.
Mueke raised concerns over governance within some dairy cooperatives, saying some were purchasing milk from farmers at more than Sh60 per litre, but retaining significant margins instead of passing adequate returns to producers.
He disclosed that the State Department for Cooperatives and the Commissioner for Cooperatives had been engaged on the matter, with a circular expected to remind cooperatives to operate within regulations and limit their margins to about Sh2 to Sh3 for value addition.
Mueke revealed that the Government is also considering establishing a milk stabilisation fund, that would enable excess milk produced during periods of high production, to be processed into powder and stored for use during shortages.
According to the PS, such a mechanism would help smooth out seasonal fluctuations in both milk prices and availability, while allowing farmers to benefit from higher production periods.
“When times are good for the farmers, they can take that extra three, four shillings and invest back into genetics and animal feed production,” he noted.
He observed that the proposed intervention would allow processors to buy back stored milk products, when production falls, reducing the severity of future shortages.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Dairy Processors Association (KDPA) Interim Chairman, Kenneth Gitonga, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union, urged consumers not to panic-buy milk.
Gitonga described the current supply disruption as temporary, maintaining that the decline was about three percent.
“We have a small challenge, but it’s not as big as it looks. Milk has declined by about three percent, and I want to assure our customers that this is completely temporary,” Gitonga assured.
He added that processors were working to ensure every available litre reached consumers while keeping prices stable.
The KDPA Chairman also cautioned consumers against purchasing unprocessed milk, from informal traders, warning that some unscrupulous operators adulterate milk with water and other substances before selling it.
Traders involved in such practices risk legal action, with the dairy regulator, urging consumers to obtain milk from licensed processors and authorised outlets.
On concerns that foot-and-mouth disease, could be contributing to the decline, Mueke dismissed the suggestion, saying Kenya currently has no active outbreak capable of explaining the national supply reduction.
He pointed to the country’s digital disease surveillance system and vaccination programme, which enable veterinary authorities, to identify and contain outbreaks.
“At the moment, we don’t have any foot and mouth outbreaks,” Mueke clarified, adding that isolated cases, when detected, are treated and contained.
The PS, therefore, maintained that drought and inadequate fodder remain the primary causes of the current decline.
The Government is banking on the return of rains, to improve pasture availability and milk production and according to Mueke, the Meteorological Department has forecast significant rains within the next three weeks.
He nevertheless cautioned against relying solely on weather projections, stressing that the Government would continue tracking production and supply figures daily and issue regular updates.
Mueke ruled-out immediate milk imports, saying the Government would first exhaust measures aimed at strengthening domestic production.
“If we are able to all be collectively across the entire dairy value chain, from production to the market, support our farmer, we will not need to bring milk from outside,” he emphasised.
However, should the shortage persist, Mueke stated, the Government may consider opening an import window for milk powder or other dairy products, to protect consumers from excessive price increases.
The PS maintained that the measures being implemented should prevent significant increases, although normal supply-and-demand pressures, could result in adjustments within the recommended retail price range.
The Government, he added, will continue monitoring the sector and communicating updates as it works, to restore normal milk supplies in the short, medium and long term.
By Nancy Omondi/Celine Mwende
