Kenya’s growing milk shortage has raised concerns about the government’s preparedness to protect farmers and consumers from supply disruptions, with rising production costs and declining deliveries putting pressure on the dairy industry.

Stephen Mutoro, the Secretary-General of the Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK), says the crisis exposes weaknesses in dairy planning, support for farmers and the management of milk supplies during periods of high and low production.

Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) shows that milk deliveries to formal processors dropped by five per cent, from 88.89 million litres in May 2026 to 84.44 million litres in June.

The June figure was also 6.4 per cent lower than the 90.24 million litres recorded during the same month in 2025.

The declining deliveries have contributed to shortages of packaged milk in some shops and supermarkets, while consumers are facing higher prices and restrictions on the number of packets they can purchase.

Farmers Struggle With Rising Production Costs

Small-scale dairy farmers, who account for approximately 80 per cent of Kenya’s milk supply, are also facing challenges as dry weather reduces pasture availability and pushes up animal-feed costs.

The situation has affected milk production, with farmers struggling to maintain adequate supplies for processors and other buyers.

Mutoro has urged the Ministry of Agriculture to introduce emergency fodder assistance and affordable animal-feed programmes in affected dairy-producing counties.

He has also called on the National Treasury to consider temporary tax relief on essential feed ingredients, including yellow maize and soya, to reduce production costs and help farmers remain in business.

Government Urged to Explain Milk Reserves

The COFEK secretary-general has called on the government to explain how the country’s 2025 milk surplus was managed and clarify whether milk powder reserves are available to cushion consumers during periods of reduced production.

He argues that Kenya should establish permanent systems for processing surplus milk into powder and storing it for use when production declines.

Such measures could help reduce the impact of seasonal changes and improve the reliability of milk supplies throughout the year.

Calls for Greater Transparency

Mutoro has also urged the government to regularly publish information on milk deliveries, prices paid to farmers, retail prices and available reserves.

According to him, access to reliable information would help consumers understand changes in the market and enable authorities to investigate unusual shortages or unjustified price increases.

The shortage has renewed questions about how Kenya can strengthen its dairy industry despite its substantial milk production.

What Needs to Change?

Mutoro says the government must address both the immediate supply problem and the weaknesses that leave farmers and consumers vulnerable whenever production falls.

Affordable animal feeds, better planning, strategic milk reserves and improved monitoring could help create a more stable dairy market.

For millions of Kenyan households that depend on milk as a regular food item, restoring reliable supplies and keeping prices affordable remain important concerns.

The current crisis highlights the need for long-term planning to ensure that increased milk production translates into dependable supplies for consumers while protecting farmers from rising costs and unpredictable weather conditions.