Nairobi: Kenya’s dairy sector is facing renewed pressure as declining milk production and rising animal-feed costs affect farmers and reduce the volume of milk reaching processors. Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba has attributed the decline in milk supply to the high cost and poor quality of animal feeds, challenging the government’s explanation that inadequate rainfall and fodder shortages are the primary causes.
Wamuchomba said milk collection in Githunguri had fallen from 175,000 litres per day to 140,000 litres per day, representing a decline of around 20%. She argued that the central issue for farmers in the area is the cost of production rather than a lack of fodder.
According to Wamuchomba, rising input costs have made dairy farming increasingly difficult, with some farmers being forced to reduce production or leave the sector altogether.
Milk Imports Increase as Local Supply Weakens
The decline in domestic milk production has prompted Kenya to turn to neighbouring countries to bridge the supply gap.
Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui said on September 5 that domestic production was not sufficient to meet the country’s demand, leading to increased reliance on milk imports. He urged farmers to increase production so Kenya can move towards greater self-sufficiency in milk.
Data from the Kenya Dairy Board showed that formal milk deliveries to processors declined by 3.7%, falling from 84.4 million litres in June to 81.3 million litres in July 2026. A further decline was reported for August.
The shortage has been particularly visible in pasteurised milk, while long-life products such as ESL and UHT milk have remained comparatively more available.
Government Points to Fodder Shortages
The government has linked the decline in milk production to pressure on fodder supplies caused by inadequate rainfall.
Livestock Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said the government was working with animal-feed manufacturers through the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers to identify areas where surplus feed is available and redirect supplies to areas experiencing shortages.
Authorities have also announced plans for duty-free imports of yellow maize, an important ingredient in animal feed, as part of efforts to ease pressure on feed availability and prices.
Kenya Dairy Board chair Genesio Mugo and dairy processors have described the current supply decline as temporary. They have also urged consumers not to engage in panic buying.
The government expects milk production to recover after the October-December rains improve pasture and fodder availability.
Farmers Raise Concerns Over Feed Prices and Quality
Wamuchomba, however, maintains that feed costs remain a more significant challenge for dairy farmers in Githunguri.
She said the zero-rating of value-added tax on raw materials used in animal feeds under the Finance Bill 2026 had failed to result in lower prices for farmers. According to the MP, farmers have not seen a meaningful reduction in the price of animal feeds despite the tax measure.
She also raised concerns about the quality and weight of feed products available in the market. Wamuchomba alleged that some feeds were being adulterated with materials such as sand and ash, potentially affecting their nutritional value and increasing production challenges for farmers.
She called for stronger quality and weight controls, along with greater enforcement by the Kenya Bureau of Standards.
The MP further proposed that manufacturers seeking VAT refunds should be required to file their wholesale factory prices with the Kenya Revenue Authority. She argued that greater transparency could help authorities determine whether tax benefits are reaching farmers.
Calls for Lower Dairy Production Costs
Beyond animal feed, Wamuchomba highlighted the high cost of veterinary services as another burden facing dairy farmers. She called for tighter regulation of private veterinary services to help control animal-health expenses.
She has also proposed a National Assembly motion seeking power subsidies for primary agricultural producers. The measure is intended to reduce electricity-related production expenses and improve the overall economics of farming.
The disagreement over the causes of Kenya’s milk shortage highlights the wider challenges facing the country’s dairy sector. While the government expects improved rainfall to restore fodder supplies and support a recovery in milk production, farmers argue that addressing structural production costs will be equally important.
For Kenya to reduce its dependence on milk imports and achieve greater dairy self-sufficiency, farmers will need access to affordable, reliable and quality feed alongside effective veterinary services and other production inputs.
Wamuchomba warned that milk production could remain under pressure even after the rains return if high production costs and concerns over counterfeit or poor-quality feeds are not addressed.
