Kenya Dairy Board MD wins top award as dairy sector transformation gains momentum

KENYA – Margaret Rugut Kibogy, Managing Director of the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), was named Best CEO of the Year during the annual Women on Boards Network Awards held at Carnivore Restaurant. 

Kibogy’s leadership has previously been acknowledged by the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives, which listed her among the top 25 women driving growth and transformation in Kenya’s agricultural sector.

Her contributions to the dairy industry extend beyond national borders, positioning Kenya as an active member in global platforms like the International Dairy Federation (IDF) and the Global Dairy Sustainability Forum.

Since assuming the helm at KDB, Kibogy has implemented key reforms aimed at enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

One of her major initiatives includes the rollout of the First Dairy National Awards, which recognize the performance of stakeholders in the dairy value chain.

Additionally, she has championed the adoption of practical technologies to improve productivity, driving automation processes to enhance data availability and foster a robust regulatory environment.

Under her leadership, KDB has reinforced strict regulatory controls on dairy imports and spearheaded reviews of the industry’s regulatory framework.

These reforms aim to protect local producers and ensure the sector’s long-term sustainability. Kibogy has also fostered public-private partnerships, facilitating access to advanced technologies for smallholder farmers and dairy processors.

This strategy aligns with the Kenya Dairy Industry Sustainability Roadmap 2023–2033, a 10-year plan launched in December 2023 to modernize the sector.

The roadmap aims to double annual milk production from five billion liters to 10 billion liters by 2033. It also targets an increase in formally marketed milk from the current 30% to 50%, significantly improving income streams for small-scale dairy farmers.

These initiatives are expected to strengthen Kenya’s dairy industry, which currently contributes over KSh230 billion annually to the economy.

Environmental sustainability is a central focus of the roadmap. The plan seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with both national goals and global Dairy Net Zero commitments.

Strategies include improving access to quality feeds and fodder to enhance daily milk production per cow, which currently averages under seven liters.

Kibogy’s recent visits to dairy processors highlight her commitment to implementing this roadmap. These engagements aim to build a sustainable industry that addresses food security and nutritional needs while driving economic growth.

The roadmap’s goals resonate with Kenya’s broader agricultural strategy, emphasizing the importance of stakeholder collaboration in achieving transformative change.

Mithika Linturi, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, emphasized the critical role of strategic interventions at the roadmap’s launch.

He highlighted the need for quality inputs to boost productivity, a priority that aligns with Kibogy’s vision for a thriving and resilient dairy sector.