State-Owned KCC To Build KSh 750m Milk Processing Plant In Narok: "We Want To Empower Farmers"

• The government embarked on plans to empower local dairy farmers and improve milk production in the country
• Cooperative and MSME Development CS Simon Chelugui announced plans to build a KSh 750 million milk processing plant in Narok
• Chelugui said the plant will be significant in increasing milk production to the government's target of 10 billion litres per year
• The CS directed New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) to buy milk directly to root out middlemen exploiting farmers

Kenya government has set up plans to build a milk processing plant in Narok County in a bid to support farmers and improve production.

Cooperatives and MSME Development CS Simon Chelugui said President William Ruto is expected to preside over the ground breaking ceremony in the coming months.

Increase in farmers' milk prices

Speaking in Narok on Monday, August 28, Chelugui directed the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) to buy milk directly from Narok farmers to cushion them from exploitative middlemen.

"Before the factory is complete, New KCC will start buying milk from farmers to empower and add value to their produce,"

Chelugui noted that the standard milk buying price from farmers will not be less than KSh 50 per litre.

Milk production in Kenya

He added that the government will set up milk coolers in every county through cooperative societies in collaboration with county governments.

The move is part of Ruto's administration initiative to increase milk production in the country from the current 5.2 billion to 10 billion annually.

Milk export

Chelugui noted that the government has laid out plans through the New KCC to accelerate daily milk production to 4.5 million litres.

"We will be able to process 4.5 million litres per day from the current 1.5 million litres. This will allow us to venture into the milk export market," he said.

He reiterated that the strategy set by the Kenya Kwanza government aims to create opportunities for Kenyan farmers internationally.

The Narok plant, which will sit on a 30-acre piece of land, is expected to produce over 100,000 litres of milk daily to support the export market.

The government plans to increase the value of exports by reducing the importation of products that can be locally produced.

In June 2023, Ruto promised to ban the importation of shoes in the coming two years to support local manufacturing.

The president assured Kajiado County residents and cattle farmers that their cowhide will be significant to the local shoemaking.