Kirinyaga County distributes 13 milk coolers to boost dairy production

KENYA – Kirinyaga County has distributed 13 milk coolers alongside agricultural equipment, water infrastructure materials and community support items in a programme aimed at strengthening livelihoods and improving agricultural productivity.

County officials said the investment is expected to reduce post-harvest milk losses, improve milk quality and enhance farmers’ earnings by enabling better storage and access to formal markets.

Speaking during the distribution exercise, Governor Anne Waiguru said the projects were identified through public participation and consultations with Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) to address priority needs at the ward level.

Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke said the milk coolers were supplied following a request by Governor Waiguru to President William Ruto.

According to Mueke, the US$696,000 (KSh90 million) investment is expected to benefit more than 17,000 dairy farmers by enabling the preservation of over 35,000 litres of milk daily, reducing spoilage and improving market access.

He also outlined ongoing national reforms in the dairy sector, including a quality-based milk payment system that is expected to increase prices for high-quality milk from about KSh43 to as much as KSh60 per litre.

Mueke further highlighted other government interventions in the livestock sector, including subsidised artificial insemination using sexed semen, whose cost has been reduced from KSh8,000 to KSh1,000, and subsidised vaccination against Foot and Mouth Disease, now priced at KSh50 following government support.

He said Kirinyaga has so far received 23 milk coolers under the first two phases of the national programme, adding that the government’s long-term plan is to equip every dairy cooperative in the county with a milk cooling facility.

The new coolers will serve dairy cooperatives in Kabare, Mutira, Kiine, Njukiini, Nyangati, Kangai, Ngariama, Baragwi, Karumandi, Murinduko and Mukure wards. Kirima Slopes Dairy Cooperative received the largest unit, with a capacity of 10,000 litres, while Podago Dairy Cooperative and Rukingu Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society each received 5,000-litre coolers. The remaining cooperatives received units ranging from 1,000 to 2,000 litres.

Beyond the milk cooling facilities, the county distributed a range of items including a tractor, water pipes and fittings for community water projects, coffee seedlings, US$154,000 (KES 20 million) in support for ward-based savings and credit cooperative societies (Saccos), wheelchairs, tents, chairs, catering equipment, car wash machines, public address systems and other community empowerment tools.

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