Kenya Dairy Board, ILRI launch initiative to bolster informal dairy sector 

KENYA – Kenya’s informal dairy sector, responsible for three-quarters of the country’s milk supply, is poised for a transformative overhaul following the launch of the More Milk: More Milk for Lives and Livelihoods in Kenya initiative. 

Spearheaded by the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the four-year program aims to enhance milk safety, improve regulatory compliance, and empower small-scale dairy businesses to access regulated markets.

Funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the project will focus on counties with significant dairy activity: Nakuru, Nyandarua, and Uasin Gishu. 

It seeks to implement capacity development programs and certification schemes to help informal vendors transition into certified enterprises that meet safety and quality standards. 

The initiative will bolster consumer trust in locally sourced milk by addressing challenges such as poor handling practices and limited regulatory support.

The informal dairy sector plays a vital role in Kenya’s economy and nutrition, providing affordable fresh milk to millions. 

However, vendors often grapple with unsafe handling practices, compliance barriers, and quality control issues. These challenges undermine both public health and the economic potential of the sector.  

According to Margaret Kibogy, Managing Director of KDB, the initiative aligns with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda and aims to significantly increase the proportion of milk sold through regulated markets from under 20% to 50%. 

“Through capacity building, incentives for change, and fostering an enabling environment, we are committed to uplifting small and medium dairy enterprises, ensuring healthier and safer milk for all Kenyans,” she said.  

Building on past successes  

The new initiative builds on the success of the first MoreMilk project, demonstrating that vendors can improve milk handling practices with adequate training and support.

Dr. Silvia Alonso, Principal Scientist and Project Lead at ILRI, stressed the program’s goal of creating a sustainable model that supports small businesses while ensuring the health and safety of Kenyan families.  

“This partnership between KDB and ILRI is pivotal in transforming Kenya’s dairy sector. By combining research and regulatory expertise, we are addressing milk safety, enhancing livelihoods, and contributing to national food security and public health,” noted ILRI Director General Appolinaire Djikeng.  

The MoreMilk initiative promises to empower vendors, many of whom are women, by providing training in business practices, regulatory compliance, and safe milk handling.

The program will also promote pasteurisation and sourcing milk from approved suppliers, helping vendors build consumer trust and expand their market reach.  

Moreover, the project aims to strengthen gender equity in the sector, recognising women’s significant role in small-scale dairy trading.

The initiative seeks to boost their economic opportunities and contributions to the sector by equipping female vendors with essential skills and resources.  

With the launch of this initiative, stakeholders are optimistic about the long-term benefits for Kenya’s dairy sector. 

Dr Joshua Chepchieng, Secretary of Administration at the State Department of Livestock Development, described the project as “an essential step towards a formalised dairy sector that provides safe milk and contributes to nutrition security, health, and economic growth.”