{
  "id": 5827586,
  "title": "Are Kenya’s cows stressed? Expert explains milk shortage, gives tips for detecting adulteration",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/are-kenyas-cows-stressed-expert-explains-milk-shortage-gives-tips-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-05T16:21:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Nation Africa",
    "slug": "nation-africa",
    "url": "https://nation.africa/kenya/news/are-kenya-s-cows-stressed-expert-explains-milk-shortage-gives-tips-for-detecting-adulteration-5584990"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Kenya, the milk shortage has raised concerns about the welfare of dairy cows, with experts warning that stressed animals may produce lower-quality milk. The Kenya Dairy Board has cautioned traders against adulterating milk with water, chemicals, or other substances, as authorities will enforce penalties for such practices.\n\nAlex Gathii Gitonga, a dairy consultancy expert, explained that adulteration alters milk's natural composition, leading to changes in its boiling point, color, taste, and smell. Unscrupulous traders might add hydrogen peroxide to the milk to extend its shelf life, which can produce an acidic taste or burning sensation.\n\nThe milk shortage is partly attributed to the ongoing drought, which has affected key milk-producing areas. Gitonga emphasized that cows are suffering from protein, energy, and mineral deficiencies, while poor fodder quality due to late harvesting is also a concern. Additionally, farmers are paying more for commercial feed with uncertain quality.\n\nStressed cows, Gitonga noted, experience heat, water, and social stress, which can reduce milk production by 10 to 15 percent. He advised farmers to provide clean water, shade, ventilation, comfortable resting space, and consistent rations for each cow. However, he cautioned against investing in high-yield genetics without addressing basic husbandry practices.\n\nKenya's dairy production stands at an average of seven to nine litres per cow per day, with about 1.8 million smallholder households depending on dairy farming. The government is exploring ways to preserve surplus milk during peak seasons and release it when production declines. While importing milk powder could temporarily address the shortage, Gitonga believes investing in fodder, farm productivity, input quality, and farmer support is a more sustainable solution.",
  "summary": "Fears are rife that unscrupulous traders are seeking to plug the gap by adulterating the product.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "People Daily Kenya",
        "title": "CS Kinyanjui links milk shortage to prolonged dry spell as Kenya braces for rains",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/cs-kinyanjui-links-milk-shortage-to-prolonged-dry-spell-as-kenya",
        "published": "2026-09-05T17:40:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}