Government fast-tracks Malava Dairy Plant to boost milk production

KENYA – The Kakamega County Government is intensifying efforts to bring the Malava Dairy Processing Plant into operation, a move set to transform the region’s dairy industry. 

This was set in  a recent meeting between Mophat Mandela, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, and a delegation from the Commodity Market Exchange, led by CEO Jacob Maaga. 

The discussions, held to advance the plant’s operationalization, focused on strategic investments to enhance milk production and processing.

The Commodity Market Exchange, partnering with equity financiers, outlined a phased investment plan for Kakamega’s dairy sector. 

The strategy begins with supporting silage production to improve cattle nutrition, followed by herd improvement and aggregation development. 

The final phase involves milk processing at the Malava facility, which is expected to process up to 50,000 liters daily once operational. 

“Our goal is to commercialize high-quality fodder to boost milk yields significantly,” Maaga stated during the meeting, emphasizing the initiative’s alignment with Governor Fernandes Barasa’s agenda for food security and wealth creation.

The county is also prioritizing the installation of advanced machinery to ensure the plant meets modern processing standards. 

Godfrey Owori, the County Executive Committee Member for Trade and Industrialization, co-chaired the meeting and highlighted the need for top-grade equipment to guarantee efficiency. 

“We are committed to making this plant a game-changer for our farmers,” Owori said, underscoring the project’s potential to create jobs and provide a stable market for dairy farmers.

The Malava plant, a flagship project initiated in 2019, has faced delays but is now on track for completion. 

The county has already invested US$1.5 million to acquire land and construct the facility, which includes wastewater treatment systems. 

With 172,876 dairy cows and 24 active milk cooperative societies, Kakamega produces about 182.6 million liters of milk annually. 

The plant’s operationalization is expected to address the county’s milk deficit and enhance farmers’ incomes by ensuring a ready market.

Key county officials, including Jessica Weku, Chief Officer for Livestock, and Elizabeth Asichi, CEO of the Kakamega County Investment and Development Agency, attended the meeting.

Ezekiel Lumbasi, CEO of the Kakamega Dairy Development Corporation, also participated, reinforcing the county’s commitment to supporting dairy farmers through training and modern farming techniques. 

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