Kenya’s milk supply has tightened in parts of the country after deliveries to processors fell by 3.7 per cent, with the government now assuring consumers that the shortages are temporary and should ease once rains improve pasture and fodder for dairy farmers.
The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) said milk remains available in the market despite reduced supplies in some areas, linking the current situation mainly to dry and cold weather in key milk-producing regions.
KDB Managing Director William Maritim said formal milk deliveries to processors dropped from 84.4 million litres in June 2026 to 81.3 million litres in July, a decline of 3.1 million litres.
The Board is still compiling formal milk intake figures for August, but preliminary data indicates that deliveries could have fallen further, reflecting the difficult seasonal conditions facing dairy farmers.
“Pasteurised milk has generally been more affected, while long-life milk (ESL and UHT) remains comparatively more available,” Maritim said.
The reduction in supply has been felt differently across the country, with some areas recording low stocks, fewer brands and pack sizes on sale and delays in restocking retail outlets.
Although consumers have reported difficulties finding some milk products, KDB said retail prices have generally remained stable. However, some areas experiencing tighter supplies have recorded increases in prices.
The Board attributed the decline in milk production to dry and cold conditions in major dairy-producing areas, which have affected the availability of pasture and fodder for cows.
The government expects the situation to improve once rainfall returns and farmers are able to access more pasture and fodder.
“The outlook for the October- November-December 2026 rainfall season is expected to support recovery in pasture and fodder availability, leading to improved milk production and supply as conditions become more favourable,” the board stated.
The assurance comes amid reports of milk shortages in some retail outlets, with pasteurised milk among the products most affected.
Some supermarkets have started limiting the quantities of milk customers can buy as processors face difficulties securing enough raw milk.
A spot check at several supermarkets and retail outlets in Nairobi found some shelves empty or carrying limited stocks, with retailers restricting purchases amid concerns over declining supplies.
At some outlets, customers were being limited to as little as one litre of milk from dispensers, while some wholesalers were restricting purchases of packaged milk to fewer than five packets per customer instead of allowing buyers to purchase a full carton.
KDB said the government is also putting in place measures aimed at increasing milk production and making the dairy sector better able to cope with supply challenges.
Among the measures are the procurement and distribution of milk coolers to improve milk aggregation and preservation.
The government is also supporting dairy herd improvement through subsidised sexed semen, an intervention aimed at improving productivity among dairy farmers.
The measures are expected to increase milk production, reduce losses and help maintain more stable supplies in the longer term.
“Consumers and stakeholders are therefore reassured that the current situation is temporary,” Maritim said.
He said the Board would continue monitoring milk production, formal deliveries to processors, availability in the market and retail prices as it works with other players in the dairy sector to maintain supplies.
The current supply constraints come as the country continues with longer-term efforts to increase dairy production and strengthen the formal dairy value chain.