Kenya Dairy Board launches Ksh 200M MoreMilk project to boost dairy sector

Kenya Dairy Board launches Ksh 200M MoreMilk project to boost dairy sector
The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB), in collaboration with the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), today launched the MoreMilk: More Milk for Lives and Livelihoods in Kenya project, a transformative initiative aimed at improving milk safety, accessibility, and affordability across Kenya. The launch event was held at ILRI’s headquarters in Nairobi, marking a significant milestone for the country’s dairy industry.
The Ksh 200 million project, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, will be implemented over four years. It is designed to enhance milk safety standards, promote regulatory compliance, and support small-scale dairy businesses. The project specifically targets 450 informal and small business milk vendors across Nyandarua, Nakuru, and Uasin Gishu counties.
Through capacity-building programs, the initiative seeks to improve the livelihoods of these vendors, integrate them into regulated markets, and ensure that consumers have access to safe and high-quality milk.
Speaking at the event, KDB Managing Director Margaret Rugut Kibogy underscored the significance of the project in fulfilling the Board’s mandate of ensuring the safety and quality of milk and milk products. “This project is a significant step towards transforming the dairy sector by ensuring that consumers have access to safe, affordable, and quality milk, while also supporting the growth of small businesses in the sector,” Kibogy stated.
Dr. Joshua Chepchieng, the Principal Secretary for Livestock Development, officiated the event as the chief guest. He praised the project’s potential to strengthen the dairy value chain, particularly for small-scale vendors and farmers who are critical players in the industry. “This initiative is a game-changer for the dairy industry, particularly for small-scale farmers and vendors who play a critical role in the sector,” Dr. Chepchieng remarked.
ILRI Director General, Dr. Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng, emphasized the importance of collaboration between research institutions, government, and industry stakeholders in achieving sustainable growth in the dairy sector.
Expected outcomes of the MoreMilk project include enhanced milk safety standards, increased compliance with regulations, higher participation of informal vendors in regulated markets, and improved consumer health.
This initiative reaffirms KDB’s commitment to developing the dairy sector, supporting stakeholders along the value chain, and safeguarding the quality and safety of milk products for consumers nationwide.