Consumers warn of milk price squeeze as formal supply falls

Nairobi, Kenya – The Consumers Federation of Kenya (COFEK) has warned that Kenyan consumers are facing rising milk prices due to a drop in formal-sector milk deliveries, which fell by 5% to 84.44 million liters in June 2026 from 88.89 million liters in May 2026. COFEK Secretary-General Stephen Mutoro called on the government to provide urgent measures to prevent further shortages and price increases, stating that consumers are entitled to a clear, evidence-based account of the true state of the sector.

The federation also reported higher milk prices and intermittent shortages, particularly in Nairobi, where some retailers have started rationing milk purchases and prices have risen from Sh70 to Sh80 per liter. Smallholder farmers, who supply about 80% of Kenya's milk, are experiencing reduced yields due to delayed rains and increased commercial feed costs.

COFEK argues that the current pressure on the dairy supply chain is not solely weather-related and demands that the Agriculture Ministry publish a recovery plan and the National Treasury remove import duty and VAT on dairy-feed ingredients to help farmers remain in production.