The Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has warned that milk prices could rise further following a decline in milk supplies, as it called on the government to take urgent action within seven days to address the situation.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

In a statement on Monday, August 31, the federation said formal-sector milk intake fell by five per cent from 88.89 million litres in May 2026 to 84.44 million litres in June, according to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

The federation noted June's intake was also 6.4 per cent lower than the 90.24 million litres recorded in June 2025, pointing to growing pressure on the country's milk supply.

The impact has already been felt in Nairobi, where COFEK said some retailers had begun rationing milk purchases, while the price of fresh milk at some outlets had risen from Ksh70 to Ksh80 per litre.

📌 What You Need to Know

“Branded packaged milk has become intermittently scarce on supermarket shelves, raising concerns that consumers could face further price increases if supply constraints persist,” COFEK said.

The federation linked the decline to challenges facing smallholder farmers, who account for roughly 80 per cent of Kenya's milk production, with some farmers reporting that yields have fallen from seven to nine litres to four to five litres per cow per day.

According to COFEK, delayed rains have affected pasture while commercial feed costs have risen by about 45 per cent, putting further pressure on farmers and raising concerns that some could abandon dairy production.

COFEK is demanding that the Ministry of Agriculture publish a transparent recovery plan within seven days, including monthly milk-intake targets, and immediately activate emergency fodder and feed subsidies for affected dairy-producing counties.

The federation has also called on the Kenya Dairy Board to account for the 2025 milk surplus and disclose the status of milk-powder reserves, while establishing a permanent mechanism for absorbing surplus milk and maintaining strategic reserves.

It is further demanding that the National Treasury waive import duty and VAT on yellow maize, soya and other key dairy-feed inputs to lower production costs and help prevent more farmers from leaving the sector.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke