Government urges dairy board to sensitize public on milk regulations

KENYA – Kenyan Governor Joseph Ole Lenku has urged the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) to educate the public on milk handling regulations before enforcing arrests for violators.

This follows recent arrests and prosecutions conducted by KDB, in conjunction with local administration, on milk vendors violating the regulations in Loitoktok.

While addressing a public meeting in Loitoktok town during the Loitoktok Dairy mini plant launch, Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku emphasized the importance of adhering to milk regulations to ensure milk’s safety and consumers’ health.

He expressed his government’s support for regulating milk handling to ensure consumer safety commending the Loitoktok Dairy Cooperative Society for setting a precedent in value addition of agricultural produce, noting that value addition is essential for farming success.

He highlighted that the cooperative aligns with the national government’s goal of enhancing the livestock value chain, targeting milk, meat, hides, and skins.

To accelerate quality production, Governor Ole Lenku’s administration has initiated a moderated pastoralism program to improve the quality of cows for milk and meat production.

He pledged continued support to cooperative societies through training and provision of financial and infrastructural support to enhance production.

The county government will connect cooperatives with donors and opportunities through agriculture-affiliated programs.

Loitoktok Deputy County Commissioner Antony Maina challenged the local community to improve the quality of their livestock through moderated pastoralism to enhance milk and meat quality and quantity.

He noted that reducing the number of animals would leave farmers with manageable herds even during dry spells.

Meanwhile, the Kenyan government has initiated efforts to grow the dairy sector by deploying interventions to increase farmers’ incomes, provide milk processors with quality raw materials, and ensure safe consumer products.

In a bilateral effort with Kenya, USAID has partnered with BioFood Products Limited to launch the ‘Safe Milk Kenya’ project. This project aims to ensure the safety and quality of dairy products, thereby bolstering the industry’s overall impact in Kenya.

The campaign addresses the prevalence of dangerous mycotoxins in food and dairy products, particularly aflatoxin.

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