Kenya faces a milk shortage affecting city supermarkets, with prices rising and supplies disrupted. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe identified two main causes: poor grazing conditions and brokers outbidding processors. The situation has led to consumer hoarding, with some households buying more milk than usual after supermarkets limited purchases to two or three packets.
Kagwe assured the public that the shortage is temporary, blaming temporary factors rather than long-term supply issues. He urged cooperatives to increase payments to farmers to improve milk collection. The government has invested Ksh1.4 billion in infrastructure to reduce losses and strengthen collection capacity.
The shortage has raised concerns about food security and affordability, particularly for low-income households. Kagwe emphasized the need for coordinated efforts between farmers, cooperatives, and the government to stabilize the supply chain. Further measures are expected as the government works to address the immediate challenges.
The situation highlights the vulnerability of Kenya’s dairy sector to environmental and market pressures, prompting calls for urgent policy interventions.
