Kenya’s government is planning to facilitate the duty-free importation of 500,000 tonnes of yellow maize to support livestock feed production as the country responds to a temporary decline in milk supplies. The intervention follows prolonged drought, failed rains and rising animal feed costs, which have affected dairy farmers and reduced national milk production.
The Ministry of Agriculture reported that milk production declined by approximately 3.7% in July. However, officials expect production to improve following the return of rainfall in several parts of the country.
Government Maps Feed Stocks for Dairy Farmers
Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said the government was working with animal feed manufacturers and industry associations to identify available feed stocks across the country.
The authorities plan to map areas with surplus animal feed and make the supplies accessible to dairy farmers through cooperatives and milk processors. The distribution strategy is intended to ensure that farmers can maintain adequate nutrition for their cattle during the ongoing feed shortage.
Mueke highlighted the direct connection between animal nutrition and milk production, stating that poorly fed cows cannot maintain normal milk yields. The government’s intervention is therefore focused on improving feed availability while reducing the pressure on farmers facing higher production costs.
Duty-Free Yellow Maize Imports Planned
The government has agreed to allow duty-free imports of 500,000 tonnes of yellow maize specifically for animal feed production. The decision is aimed at addressing the shortage of locally produced cereal following failed rains and reduced agricultural output.
Yellow maize is an important ingredient in livestock feed, and increased imports could help feed manufacturers maintain production. The measure is also expected to ease pressure on feed prices, which have become a major concern for dairy farmers.
Lower feed costs could improve farm profitability and help farmers sustain milk production until weather conditions and domestic feed availability recover.
Dairy Board Rejects Panic Buying
The Kenya Dairy Board has attempted to reassure consumers that the current milk shortage is limited and should not lead to panic buying.
Dairy Board Chairman Genesio Mugo said some reported stock-outs on retail shelves were partly caused by increased consumer purchases. He urged households to buy only the quantities they normally require, assuring them that milk supplies would continue.
According to Mugo, the shortage is minimal and does not represent a major national supply crisis. His comments were intended to prevent unnecessary stockpiling and maintain stability in the retail dairy market.
Processors Expect Recovery Within Two Weeks
Dairy Processors Association Chairman Kennedy Gitonga also described the decline in milk production as a temporary challenge. He estimated that production had fallen by about 3% and expressed confidence that supplies could improve within the next two weeks.
The expected recovery is linked to improved rainfall, better access to animal feed and government support for dairy farmers. As pastures recover and feed becomes more available, farmers may be able to restore normal milk yields.
The government is also relying on dairy cooperatives and milk processors to help distribute feed and maintain supply chains between farmers and consumers.
Outlook for Kenya’s Dairy Sector
Kenya’s current milk supply challenge reflects the combined impact of weather conditions, feed shortages and rising production expenses. The planned yellow maize imports and feed distribution measures could provide short-term relief, particularly for smallholder dairy farmers.
Although milk production has declined, industry officials maintain that the situation is temporary rather than a major national shortage. Continued rainfall, improved feed availability and coordinated support from the government, cooperatives and processors will be essential to stabilising milk supplies.
The success of the intervention will depend on how quickly imported maize reaches feed manufacturers and how efficiently available feed is distributed to dairy-producing regions.
