Govt Intensifies Crackdown on Milk Hawking in Sweeping Dairy Sector Reforms

The government has intensified its crackdown on milk hawking across the country as part of sweeping reforms aimed at improving milk safety, increasing farmer earnings and transforming Kenya into a globally competitive dairy producer.

Speaking during the flagging off of 25 bulk milk coolers at Uhuru Park in Nairobi, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe warned that the sale of unregulated raw milk continues to expose millions of Kenyans to serious health risks while undermining the growth of the formal dairy industry.

Kagwe said a large portion of milk consumed in the country cannot be traced or tested, making it difficult to guarantee safety standards, particularly for vulnerable groups such as children.

“The consumption of unregulated milk not only endangers public health but also denies farmers the full value of their produce through formal processing and value addition,” said the CS.

He noted that reliance on informal milk brokers and hawkers has continued to deny dairy farmers stable incomes and access to better markets for processed dairy products including yogurt, cheese and milk powder.

As part of the reforms, the Ministry of Agriculture has launched the distribution of 230 milk coolers worth KSh1.4 billion across the country. The coolers are expected to reduce post-harvest losses, improve milk preservation and strengthen dairy cooperative societies by enhancing organized milk collection systems.

Kagwe said the government is also rolling out subsidized sexed semen programmes to improve dairy genetics and increase milk productivity. In addition, efforts are underway to promote local production of animal feed in a bid to lower the cost of dairy farming and cushion farmers from fluctuating market prices.

The CS said the reforms are designed to create a more efficient and sustainable dairy value chain capable of competing globally while generating more employment opportunities for Kenyans.

Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke said the government remains committed to modernizing the dairy sector through investments in infrastructure, technology and farmer support programmes.

The government now says stricter enforcement measures against illegal milk hawking will be implemented alongside efforts to encourage farmers to channel milk through licensed and traceable collection systems.