For consumers walking into shops expecting to pick up their usual packet of milk, the shelves are beginning to tell a different story.
Some shops have reported empty or sparsely stocked shelves as a worsening shortage of milk leaves consumers looking for alternative sources.
The squeeze has also raised concerns over the safety of milk sold outside regulated outlets, with the Kenya Dairy Board warning consumers against buying unpasteurised milk from unregulated traders.
KDB chairman Genesio Mugo said some milk hawkers were allegedly adding water, chemicals and other substances to milk before selling it to unsuspecting consumers.
“Buying milk from the farmers, putting other substances including water and chemicals and then extending the same for sale to the consumers” is unacceptable, Mugo said, warning that traders caught adulterating milk would face the law.
The warning comes as drought continues to take a toll on dairy production, with reduced pasture and animal feed leaving farmers struggling to maintain milk output.
The government says milk production fell by about 3.7 per cent between June and July, with August figures expected to show a further decline.
Livestock PS Jonathan Mueke said the shortage had resulted in limited supplies reaching processors.
“The real issue is fodder pressure due to lack of rain,” he said, noting drought had also affected other countries in the region and increased pressure on animal feed.
During a media briefing on Thursday, Mueke said the ministry had held consultations with dairy processors to agree on measures to restore supplies and support farmers.
The government plans to work with animal feed manufacturers to identify areas with excess stocks and make the feed available to dairy farmers through cooperatives and processors.
It is also processing plans to allow duty-free imports of 500,000 tonnes of yellow maize for animal feed. The maize is expected to provide raw materials for feed manufacturers and help ease rising feed prices, which have increased the cost of dairy production.
The measure is expected to be gazetted next week, paving the way for feed manufacturers to begin importing the maize.
The government is also seeking to ensure farmers receive fair prices for their milk, in an effort to discourage them from selling to brokers and informal traders, which reduces the amount reaching processors.
Mueke said the Kenya Dairy Board would monitor milk production and the movement of milk across the value chain to ensure processors have adequate raw milk.
He said supporting farmers was critical to restoring supplies because cows without adequate feed and water cannot maintain milk production.
Dairy processors have sought to reassure consumers the shortage is temporary and should ease once the rains return.
Kenneth Gitonga, chairman of the Dairy Processors Association and chief executive of Meru Dairy Union, said milk production had declined by about three per cent but maintained the gap was not significant.
He said processors had agreed to purchase every available litre of milk from farmers at a farm-gate price of at least Sh50.
Gitonga said the industry expected supplies to improve within two to three weeks after the onset of rains.
“We have a small challenge, but it's not as big as it looks,” he said, urging consumers to remain patient.
But KDB says panic buying is adding pressure to supermarket shelves.
Mugo urged consumers not to stockpile milk, saying the shortage was minimal and there was no need for panic.
“Just buy the normal that you require. There will still be milk tomorrow,” he said.
The government, however, is avoiding predictions on when supplies will return to normal, saying it will rely on daily production data to guide its interventions.
Mueke said production should improve rapidly once adequate rains restore pasture and farmers have enough feed and water for their animals.
In the longer term, the government is considering a milk stabilisation mechanism that would allow excess milk produced during periods of high production to be processed into powder and stored for use during shortages.
Mueke said a revolving fund could be established to enable the government to purchase and process surplus milk, which could then be released into the market when supplies fall.
The system, he said, could help stabilise milk prices while encouraging farmers to invest in feed and improved genetics during periods of high production.
The government is also examining challenges within dairy cooperatives, with Mueke raising concerns over cases where farmers do not receive a fair share of the price paid for their milk.
He said some cooperatives were buying milk at more than Sh60 per litre but passing on only a small portion of the price to farmers.
“The State Department of Cooperatives is expected to issue a circular requiring cooperatives to operate within regulations and limit their margins for value addition,” Mueke said.
For now, the government says it will continue monitoring the dairy sector daily as it works with farmers, processors, cooperatives and retailers to restore supplies and protect consumers from exploitation.
