Kenya Government rolls out US$11.58M milk coolers to boost dairy sector

KENYA – The Kenyan government has launched the installation of 230 bulk milk coolers, valued at Ksh1.45 billion (US$11.58 million), across 40 counties to boost the country’s dairy sector.                   

The project marks a milestone in the dairy value chain, promising relief for farmers who have long struggled with losses caused by poor storage and limited market access.

Speaking during the official flag-off in Nyeri, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the coolers will improve milk handling, increase storage capacity, and enhance the value of dairy produce for millions of farmers.

Nyeri County received eight coolers, with Kagwe noting the initiative is part of a broader government agenda to shift farmers from subsistence to commercial farming by enhancing value addition and market access.

“So far, we have installed eight coolers in various dairy cooperatives under the Livestock Value Chain Support Project. These are just the beginning of a wider rollout that will ultimately boost national chilling capacity by 475,000 litres daily,” Kagwe said.

The CS said the government will invest in both private and public milk processors to ensure that all milk produced by farmers is collected, processed for the local market and exported to other markets.

The dairy industry is a backbone of Kenya’s agricultural economy, contributing 4% to the GDP and supporting over 2 million people directly and indirectly. In 2024, Kenya produced an estimated 5.3 billion litres of milk, 80% of which came from smallholder farmers.

Additionally, the Ministry aims to double milk production to 10 billion litres annually by 2027, create 500,000 jobs in the dairy sector, and export up to 1 billion litres of milk each year.

To support this plan, Kagwe said the government will lease arable public land for large-scale fodder and sunflower farming to reduce the cost of animal feed. He also announced plans to increase production of quality sexed semen, commercialize pasture farming, and conduct a national livestock vaccination drive to boost productivity.

“We must adopt practical and viable interventions to transform the dairy sector. By addressing issues such as low productivity, inadequate breeding stock, and climate change, we can scale up dairy output and ensure our products meet international standards,” the CS added.

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