Milk Shortage: Kenya Turns to Uganda

Kenya has been forced to import milk from neighbouring countries, including Uganda to meet its domestic milk demand.

Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said the situation was unsustainable and called for increased support to farmers to boost local milk production and enable the country to attain self-sufficiency.

Speaking during a family day organised by the Catholic Diocese of Nakuru, the CS noted that the government was keen on addressing the supply gap by supporting farmers to increase production.

“Katika muda mfupi, pia tutakuwa tunaangalia namna maziwa yanavyotumika humu nchini. Kwa sasa, hatuwezi kukidhi mahitaji yetu yote ya maziwa locally. So, we are actually importing milk from neighbouring countries like Uganda, and we believe that this is not where the country should be," he said.

“So, we are asking our farmers, and we will support you to ensure that you can produce enough for the nation to achieve self-sufficiency.”

The remarks come amid a milk supply squeeze that has seen some supermarkets report reduced stocks, while consumers have faced price increases of between Ksh.3 and Ksh.5 for a 500-millilitre packet.

The Kenya Dairy Board attributed the shortage to seasonal production challenges, with formal milk deliveries to processors falling by 3.7 per cent from 84.4 million litres in June to 81.3 million litres in July.

The board also warned of a further decline in August, citing dry and cold weather in key milk-producing areas that has affected pasture and fodder availability.