The government has distributed 230 bulk milk coolers to dairy producer organisations in 41 counties as part of efforts to address milk supply shortages and minimise post-milking losses.
Agriculture and Fisheries Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe revealed the details while appearing before the Senate on Wednesday, September 16. He said the State Department of Livestock Development purchased the equipment during the 2024/2025 financial year at a contract cost of Ksh1.4 billion.
The 230 coolers were subsequently allocated to 230 dairy producer organisations across the 41 counties, with the programme targeting farmers who have experienced milk wastage due to inadequate storage and cooling facilities before their produce reaches the market.
“If the milk is not cooled, it will be wasted, and that is why we have these coolers. But when we give these coolers, we have noticed that farmers benefit because there is no wastage of milk,” CS Kagwe stated.
He added, “In the financial year 2024/2025, the State Department of Livestock Development procured 230 bulk milk coolers at a contract sum of Ksh1.4 billion.”
Under the distribution programme, Baringo received six coolers, while Bomet was allocated nine, Bungoma three, Busia one and Marakwet seven.
The remaining beneficiary counties are listed in the ministry’s distribution schedule, with allocations determined by dairy production requirements and the approved selection criteria.
The government projects that the equipment will benefit more than 115,000 dairy farmers by improving milk collection and reducing losses at milk aggregation centres.
The coolers are also expected to enable dairy organisations to collect and consolidate about 475,000 litres of milk daily, with the milk estimated to have a financial value of KSh23.28 million per day.
According to Kagwe, the ministry is considering rolling out a second phase of the programme following high demand for the equipment. Some dairy organisations have reportedly requested additional cooling facilities after exceeding the capacity of their existing 1,000-litre coolers.
Of the 230 units distributed, 200 are solar-powered. The ministry estimates that the solar-powered equipment will help dairy organisations save approximately Ksh200,000 per day in electricity expenses, amounting to about Ksh73 million annually.
The distribution comes at a time when Kenya is experiencing a significant milk shortage attributed to a prolonged dry spell, declining pasture availability and rising animal feed costs, all of which have affected dairy production.
Supermarkets in Nairobi and other parts of the country have reported reduced milk stocks, with some retailers introducing purchase limits as supplies tighten.
Data from the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) indicates that milk deliveries to processors declined from 84.4 million litres in June to 75 million litres in August. The shortage has also contributed to an increase in retail prices, with some remaining brands recording price rises of at least 30 per cent.
Efforts to bridge the supply deficit through imports have also faced challenges, as Uganda and Rwanda, which are among Kenya’s neighbouring potential suppliers, are experiencing shortages of their own.
Reports indicate that the milk deficit could persist for another month, with local production expected to stabilise following the anticipated October rains.
