‎‎President William Ruto has announced that dairy farmers will earn Sh65 per litre of milk from this month, alongside a quarterly bonus of Sh2, in a move aimed at boosting incomes and strengthening the dairy sector.

‎Ruto said the new payment arrangement builds on an increase in the price paid to farmers from Sh35 to Sh60 per litre, as national milk production rose by one billion litres.

‎Addressing Kenyans during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Uasin Gishu County on Tuesday, the President said the government had made progress in improving returns to farmers and expanding livestock production.

‎“In the dairy sector, national milk production has increased by one billion litres, while the price paid to farmers has risen from Sh35 to now Sh60 this month, nearly doubling their earnings per litre,” he said.

‎“Beginning this month, dairy farmers will earn Sh65 per litre, with a bonus of Sh2 to be paid every quarter,” Ruto added.

‎The announcement is expected to draw attention from dairy farmers, particularly in the North Rift, where milk production is a major source of household income and a key pillar of the regional economy.

‎Ruto singled out Eldoret as an important centre in the dairy industry, citing the role of the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (New KCC) in milk processing and the wider dairy value chain.

‎The President also outlined other government interventions targeting livestock farmers, including efforts to increase access to artificial insemination services and reduce the cost of improved breeding technology.

‎He said annual artificial insemination services had increased from 900,000 to 1.28 million, while the price of sexed semen had fallen from Sh8,000 to Sh1,400.

‎The measures, he said, were intended to improve livestock breeds, raise productivity and help farmers increase earnings from dairy farming.

‎“We have strengthened livestock production, increasing annual artificial insemination from 900,000 to 1.28 million, and reducing the cost of sex semen from Sh8,000 to Sh1,400,” he said.

‎Ruto further said the government had vaccinated more than 22 million livestock and restocked over 52 million animals for 10,000 households across 16 counties.

‎Through the De-risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies in the Horn of Africa (DRIVE) programme, he said, drought insurance had been extended to 1.6 million pastoralists across 21 counties.

‎The interventions are part of the government’s broader efforts to strengthen livestock production, improve resilience to drought and protect livelihoods in pastoral communities.

‎Ruto also cited efforts to expand international markets for Kenyan agricultural products, saying the government was seeking to create more opportunities for farmers and exporters.

‎“In 2024, our economic partnership agreement with the European Union entered into force,” he said.

‎The President said the measures were aimed at improving agricultural productivity, increasing farmers’ earnings and positioning the sector as a driver of economic growth.