Ruto’s first strike at Kenyatta’s business as he suspends importation of milk powder
Ruto suspends importation of milk powder after DP Gachagua warning to former President Uhuru Kenyatta
Ruto suspends importation of milk powder after DP Gachagua warning to former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
The importation of milk powders into Kenya was halted by the Kenya Dairy Board on March 8th.
The board stated in a statement that the choice to outlaw the goods was made to protect local farmers from an inflow of imported milk products that would have an impact on market prices.
The Kenya Board added that farmers anticipated the start of lengthy rains, which would lead to an increase in milk production in Kenya.
The board consequently reasoned that it was wise to make such a decision in order to prevent excess production that would cause milk prices to decrease.
“In anticipation of the long rains, the Government has stopped the importation of milk powders to cushion the industry from surplus production and low producer prices,” KDB Managing Director Margaret Kibogy noted in the notice addressed to milk importers.
However, Kibogy noted that the ban was temporary and that further monitoring of milk production curves would continue to help advise the government on whether to allow the importation of milk products.
KDB’s announcement came days after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua committed to streamlining operations within the milk production sector as a way of maximizing profits realized by farmers.
Speaking while attending a church service in Kasarani, Nairobi on Sunday, March 5, the second-in-command noted that the Kenya Kwanza administration was committed to eliminating “middlemen” in the milk production cycle and other industries.
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The DP has also been on record in the past vowing to revamp coffee and tea farming in the country with the long-term goal of benefitting producers.
“There has been a monopoly by one person in the milk sector. We are opening up that sector. We are going to open up the milk industry and gas industry,” Gachagua noted.
Gachagua dismissed reports that the current regime was going after business empires owned by former President Uhuru Kenyatta and opposition chief Raila Odinga.
Milk production levels had subsided owing to the prolonged drought in parts of Kenya or short-lived rains in milk-producing regions.
In turn, Kenyans turned to products from neighbouring countries to suffice the deficit.
Uganda is one of Kenya’s greatest trade partners in milk products, with statistics from the United Nations Comtrade showing that Kenya imports 74 percent of Uganda’s milk exports.
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