It's official there's milk shortage in the country.
As a farmers representative in Parliament , i can confirm that we have dropped from 175,000 liters milk collection per day to 140,000liters in Githunguri. Why ?
The Government alludes to lack of fodder which is not very factual .
In Githunguri our problem is not fodder,ours is the COST of production.
The cost of animal feeds is too high and the attempt to zero Rate VAT on raw materials via Finance bill 2026 has borne no fruits due to lack of enforcement.
Most manufacturers didn't lower the animal feeds prices even after VAT claims back window provided .
The price of animal feeds didn't drop a shilling after finance bill 2026.
As a result , most farmers are abandoning dairy ventures.
Most animal feeds are of very poor quality and farmers are defrauded with FAKE feeds that yeild to losses .
The Government is to blame .
We make very good laws , but they are not implemented.
My recommendations:
1. Quality assurance on animal feeds is Key. An actual 90 kg bag of feeds is rare in Kenyan agro vet outlets ! the weights and measures department has terribly failed us .
Some Animal feeds are FAKE with sand and ashes are used to add the weights. Such additives don't yeild milk they only affect the health of animals .
2. All manufacturers must file their factory out prices ( wholesale ) with KRA to monitor consumer prices . Since they claim VAT back .
3. Kenya Bereau of standards have allowed FAKE products to the stores in the name of Animal feeds . Our cows are eating sand and ash in the name of feeds . Salts are FAKE too !
4. Decommercialise animal health in Kenya .
The government needs to regulate the livestock health sector . Roaming and private VETRINARIES are milking farmers dry .There are no standards in Medication.
Unsuspecting farmers are gullible to con vets.
Even with El nino rains coming milk volumes will be at limbo if the Government doesn't crack on the counterfeights.
I have proposed a motion in the National Assembly on power subsidies for agricultural primary producers, i hope this will be considered as a way of reducing production costs.
Send this post to anybody who cares for the future of Kenya .
~Wamuchomba ~
Mp for Githunguri Constituency .
After you've finally bounced back, I hope you never let yourself get back to where you used to be. Protect your progress. You didn't survive all that just to repeat the cycle.