KENYA – The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) has dismissed accusations from Brookside Limited regarding the alleged blocking of Uganda milk imports into Kenya.

Brookside Uganda, owned by the Kenyatta family, claims that KDB has selectively approved import permits, favoring other Ugandan milk brands while denying permits for Brookside’s Dairy Fresh brand.

Despite repeated queries for clarification, KDB officials have remained tight-lipped. However, KDB Managing Director Margaret Kibogy refuted the allegations, asserting that trade between Kenya and Uganda remains smooth.

“Brookside is one of our leading processors in the dairy sector and doing commendable work supporting farmers and consumers in Kenya. KDB will continue supporting Brookside and all other processors in the sector towards making the dairy industry vibrant and attractive,” Kibogy said.

Brookside claims that while other Ugandan milk brands such as Lato and Dairy Top are available in Kenya, KDB has denied import permits for its Dairy Fresh brand.

Traders in the Rift Valley and Western Kenya have confirmed the availability of these Ugandan brands, with industry sources indicating that KDB allowed their importation while denying Brookside’s permits.

Simon Gathuita, a wholesaler in Bahati, Nakuru, expressed frustration, stating that consumers are asking why there are no longer stocks Uganda’s Fresh Dairy products (processed by Brookside Limited) but responding that they are not receiving any supplies from Kampala.

Brookside Limited’s General Manager in Kampala, Benson Mwangi, said the processor had not received a response from KDB regarding the 114 export permits it had applied for despite several reminders to the Kenyan dairy regulator.

The ongoing trade dispute between Kenya and Uganda has been characterized by non-tariff barriers affecting various agricultural products, including dairy.

Despite these challenges, the two countries remain key trading partners. According to the Kenya Economic Survey 2024, Kenya exported goods worth KES126.3 billion to Uganda last year, up from KES97.2 billion the previous year.

Imports from Uganda were valued at KES41.2 billion, an increase from KES39.9 billion in 2023.

During President Yoweri Museveni’s visit to Kenya on May 17, the two countries signed a communiqué committing to solidifying bilateral relations for mutual prosperity and development.

Mwangi expressed optimism that the KDB could soon implement the communiqué’s tenets, unlocking the trade impasse and allowing Brookside to resume its exports to Kenya.

“We are confident the communiqué signed by the two heads of state is key to unlocking the trade barriers affecting our dairy exports to Kenya,” he said.

The ongoing protectionist measures are said to be denying traders in both countries the maximum benefits of their existing potential, with reports from Uganda media highlighting the negative impact on Ugandan dairy farmers due to continuous bans and denial of export permits.

In March last year, the Kenya Dairy Board stopped issuing permits for Ugandan dairy products in the Ken Trade system despite the Principal Secretary, State Department for Livestock Development, having rescinded a notice banning dairy imports.

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