Kenya's informal dairy sector, which accounts for about three quarters of the country's milk supply, is set to undergo a major transformation with the launch of the More Milk: more milk for lives and livelihoods in Kenya initiative.

This four-year project that is funded by Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, aims to improve milk safety, quality and for small-scale informal dairy businesses, ensure access to regulated markets, a capacity development and certification scheme . This scheme will support their gradual transition into certified enterprises that offer safe and quality dairy products. Targeting small-scale dairy businesses in Nakuru, Nyandarua and Uasin Gishu counties, the initiative will address current challenges by improving milk handling practices and ensuring regulatory compliance while empowering vendors to thrive, and enhancing consumer trust.

The informal dairy sector plays a critical role in the nation's economy and nutrition, providing affordable milk to millions of households. Dairy vendors serve as trusted ambassadors for nutrition, health, and food safety in their communities. Despite their important role in society, they face significant challenges, including lack of adequate support, inability to adhere to best milk handling practices and regulatory requirements and difficulties to check and maintain product quality and safety.

The KDB, mandated to regulate and promote Kenya's dairy sector, has made significant strides in addressing these challenges. In 2021, KDB revised its dairy regulations to align with modern technology and market demands, simplifying and automating permit processes and replacing the KDB license with a cost-free, compliance-based permit for small and medium dairy business operators. These changes have significantly reduced barriers for small businesses to participate in the formal economy, paving the way for more inclusive and safer dairy markets.

Building on these regulatory advancements and the successes of the MoreMiLK: more milk for lives and livelihoods in Kenya 1 which showed that vendors are able to improve their milk handling practices when given the right support and capacity building, the MoreMiLK: more milk for lives and livelihoods in Kenya 2 project seeks to support informal dairy vendors to improve the quality and safety of milk sold in the semi-regulated markets. The project will encourage consumers to buy from trusted and compliant businesses while empowering informal dairy operators to access new operations.

"Our long-term vision is to have a formalized dairy sector in Kenya that provides safe milk and contributes to nutrition security, health, and economic growth. This initiative is an essential step towards achieving this vision." Dr. Joshua Chepchieng, Secretary Administration State Department of Livestock Development

The initiative aligns with Kenya's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which identifies dairy as a priority value chain for development. By focusing on the three counties, the project intends to create a business case that demonstrates the feasibility of scaling up to support the government's objective of increasing milk sales through regulated markets from less than 20% to 50%.

"Through capacity building, incentives for change, and fostering an enabling environment, we are committed to supporting small and medium dairy enterprises. We believe that providing the necessary training, technology, and access to resources can uplift the entire dairy sector, ensuring healthier and safer milk for all Kenyans," said Margaret Kibogy, Managing Director, KDB.

The MoreMilk 2 initiative will deliver significant changes, including improved milk safety standards, increased regulatory compliance, and greater participation of informal businesses in regulated markets. It will also empower consumers by increasing demand for safer, high-quality milk and strengthen gender equity by fostering collaboration between men and women in the informal sector.

The `MoreMiLK: more milk for lives and livelihoods in Kenya` project is led by KDB and ILRI. "The partnership is pivotal in transforming Kenya's informal dairy sector. By combining research and regulatory expertise, we are improving milk safety, enhancing livelihoods, and driving national food security and public health progress. Together, we are building a professionalized, sustainable industry that benefits millions," Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General, ILRI.

"Building on the success of the original MoreMilk project, and continuing to be grounded on sound research, this initiative aims to create a sustainable model that not only supports small businesses but also protects the health and well-being of Kenyan families,"  Silvia Alonso, Principal Scientist/Project Lead, ILRI.

KENYA INFORMAL DAIRY SECTOR: FACT SHEET

    A few facts and figures derived from the Kenya Dairy Master Plan  (DMP):
    The informal sector is a significant part of the Kenyan dairy sector and handles a large proportion of the marketed milk, estimated at between 55 – 70% of domestic marketed milk.
    The total domestic demand for milk is expected to increase 2.83 times from 4.5 billion litres to 12.67 billion litres.
      Kenyan consumers have a strong preference for fresh liquid milk
     Informal milk retailers sell an average of 50 to 100 litres a day and often at about half the price of processed milk.
    Demand for milk is projected to double from 110 litres in 2010 to 220 litres in 2030.
    Informal dairy sector has little voice or role in dairy sector policy making.
    Transformation of the informal dairy sector is an objective in the DMP and vision 2030 as a strategy to meet the growing urban demand while creating jobs, incomes and public revenues.

 L-R: Dr. Fabian Kausche, Deputy Director General Research and Innovation at the International Livestock Institute (ILRI), Professor Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General at the International Livestock Institute (ILRI), Dr. Joshua ChepChieng, Secretary Administrator, State Department of Livestock, Margaret Kibogy, Managing Director, Kenya Dairy Board and Dr. Siboniso Moyo, Deputy Director General Partnerships & Impact at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) during the official launch of the More Milk: more milk for lives and livelihoods in Kenya initiative at ILRI campus in Nairobi, Kenya.

Guests attending the official launch of the More Milk: more milk for lives and livelihoods in Kenya initiative at ILRI campus in Nairobi, Kenya.