Kenya launches MaziwaPlus project to combat mastitis, curb antibiotic use in dairy farming

KENYA – A new initiative aimed at tackling one of the most pervasive dairy cattle diseases, mastitis, has officially launched in Nyeri County, Kenya. 

The three-year project, dubbed MaziwaPlus, seeks to reduce mastitis incidence, curb excessive antibiotic use, and boost the livelihoods of smallholder farmers, who produce the bulk of the country’s milk supply.

The project is led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and funded by the International Centre for Antimicrobial Resistance Solutions. 

Key collaborators include the Kenya Directorate of Veterinary Services, Kenya Women Veterinary Association, Strathmore University, and the University of Nairobi.

Tackling a Persistent Threat to Dairy Health

Mastitis, an inflammation of the udder usually caused by bacterial infection, remains one of the most economically damaging and common diseases affecting dairy cattle in Kenya. 

It impacts milk quality and yield, lowers farm profits, and frequently prompts the misuse of antibiotics.

“This project directly supports the government’s efforts to increase farmer incomes, ensure food security and protect public health. It’s a great example of what we can achieve through strong partnerships between researchers, government, farmers and the private sector,” said Allan Azegele, Director of Veterinary Services in Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.

While clinical mastitis can be visibly diagnosed through swelling, pain, or discoloured milk, subclinical cases often go unnoticed, silently eroding productivity. 

In Kenya’s smallholder systems, limited diagnostic capabilities mean mastitis is frequently treated empirically, leading to widespread and sometimes inappropriate antibiotic use.

Before rolling out interventions, MaziwaPlus will investigate the social, economic, and behavioural drivers of mastitis and antibiotic use. 

The research will focus on understanding farmer practices, animal health service delivery, and the true economic burden of mastitis on farmers and cooperatives.

“The science behind this project is strategically important and it’s a win-win for everyone involved in the dairy value chain: more milk, more money,” said Dishon Muloi, a scientist at ILRI.

These insights will shape context-specific, co-designed intervention modules involving farmers, cooperatives, and veterinary professionals. The County Government of Nyeri will play a key role in implementation, ensuring alignment with local needs and systems.

Reducing antibiotic resistance through better practices

According to a recent study published in BMC Veterinary Research by Dishon M. Muloi et al., about 90% of animal health providers (AHPs) in Kenya diagnose mastitis using only visual symptoms and herd history, bypassing laboratory testing. 

This heavy reliance on clinical signs has led to excessive and often ineffective antibiotic use, raising alarms over the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

In contrast, many developed countries have adopted antibiotic stewardship programs with standardised treatment protocols, something Kenya currently lacks.

Through improved hygiene practices, milking routines, and animal husbandry, MaziwaPlus aims to reduce the occurrence of mastitis, thus decreasing the need for antibiotics and mitigating AMR risks. 

Better management also leads to enhanced milk yields, safer milk, reduced treatment costs, and increased household incomes, while benefiting environmental sustainability.

A sustainable future for dairy in Kenya

The expected outcomes of the MaziwaPlus project are far-reaching: a measurable drop in mastitis cases, reduced antibiotic use, improved animal welfare, and higher farm profitability. 

Cleaner practices will also contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions per litre of milk, cleaner waste disposal, and improved fertility in cows.

By aligning scientific research with on-the-ground realities, MaziwaPlus is poised to transform how mastitis is managed in Kenya’s smallholder dairy systems.

Ultimately, the project serves as a model for sustainable livestock development, integrating public health, animal welfare, and economic resilience, all while empowering smallholder farmers at the heart of Kenya’s dairy sector.

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