Kenya Dairy Board chairperson Genesio Mugo reassured Kenyans on Thursday that the country’s milk shortage remains minimal, urging the public to avoid panic buying that has left some supermarket shelves empty.
Speaking during a press conference, Mugo stated that the deficit stands at approximately 3 percent and noted that unnecessary bulk buying has largely caused the intermittent stock-outs seen across retail outlets.
“We want to send a message that the shortage is not big at all; it is minimal, and therefore there is no cause for alarm and no need for panic buying,” Mugo said.
He encouraged consumers to stick to their regular purchasing habits, assuring them that supply channels will remain steady.
“Let us just buy the normal amount that you require, because there will be milk tomorrow,” he said.
Warnings Against Unsafe Milk and Adulteration
Mugo cautioned consumers against purchasing unpasteurized milk from hawkers or unauthorized vendors, pointing out that unregulated milk could contain harmful substances.
He issued a strict warning to traders who adulterate milk by adding water, chemicals, or other additives before selling it to the public.
“We are sending a warning to you that, please, that is not right, don’t do that, and if you are caught by the law, then the law will take its course,” Mugo said.
Government Interventions to Ease Feed Shortage
The regulatory warning comes as government agencies address underlying production challenges affecting the dairy sector. Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke cited poor rainfall as the primary driver behind the decline in production, leaving dairy farmers struggling to secure adequate fodder for their livestock.
“The real issue is fodder pressure due to lack of rains, and we need to ensure that our cows do not go hungry,” Mueke said.
Speaking in Nairobi, Mueke outlined short-term and long-term measures aimed at restoring full supply levels. Following a presidential drought mitigation meeting chaired by President William Ruto, the government agreed to approve the use of yellow maize to ease pressure on raw materials used in animal feed production.
Mueke highlighted efforts to improve payout rates for dairy farmers to encourage deliveries through formal supply chains.
“We will ensure the farmers get the right pricing for their milk so that they do not send it informally,” Mueke said, adding that the Kenya Dairy Board will step up monitoring of milk distribution to ensure steady flow into retail markets.
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