Margaret Wangari, the farm’s Business Development Manager, Maundu
Ni Meri farm from Laikipia County on goat farming and goat milk/AGATHA NGOTHOConsumers in Nairobi and beyond will soon be able to grab a bottle of fresh, nutrition-packed goat milk right off supermarket shelves.
At the ongoing Nairobi International Trade Fair, Maundu Ni Meri farm from Laikipia county is attracting showgoers with its innovative goat farming model of delivering not just premium goat breeds, but also pasteurised, ready-to-drink milk under the brand name Togwell.
As the Nairobi International Trade Fair enters its third day, innovators are unveiling cutting-edge technologies and ideas designed to shape Kenya’s agricultural future while tackling challenges posed by climate change.
Standing out among the exhibitors is Maundu Ni Meri, which has distinguished itself in goat farming and value addition.
The farm is producing high-quality goat products and has taken a bold step into processing and packaging pasteurised goat milk, set to hit supermarket shelves within a month.
“We emphasise sustainable farming, animal health and a reliable supply chain,” said Margaret Wangari, the farm’s Business development manager. “Our expertise lies in goat breeding, ensuring strong, productive stock for both farmers and consumers. Beyond breeding, we supply goat meat, pasteurised milk, yoghurt and cheese under our Togwell brand.”
The name Maundu Ni Meri, is Kikuyu for two things and in this case, goat and milk, which captures the farm’s dual focus. Currently, the farm rears over 300 goats and they process up to 700 litres of milk daily.
Pasteurisation, Wangari said, ensures longer shelf life without altering the milk’s natural quality. “When milk is raw, it doesn’t last long. By pasteurising, we simply heat and cool it, nothing is added or removed, and this gives it a shelf life of up to 14 days.”
A litre of Togwell milk goes for Sh300, and while it is currently sold directly to consumers in Nairobi and Laikipia, distribution is expanding. “We’ll start with Healthy U outlets, then later roll out to Quickmart, Naivas and Chandarana supermarkets,” Wangari said.
But why goat milk? According to Wangari, goat milk offers health benefits that are often overlooked. “It is medicinal in many ways. Goat milk is easily digestible, making it ideal for those who are lactose intolerant. It’s also rich in calcium, which boosts bone density. This makes it especially helpful for growing children, people with autism and the elderly suffering from arthritis.”
The farm is also keen on empowering other farmers to meet growing demand by sourcing extra milk for pasteurisation and packaging.
Wangari urged Kenyans to embrace goat milk for its nutritional value. “This is the future. As more people care about health and nutrition, goat milk is the way to go,” she said.
An abstract from the National Library of Medicine notes that, compared to cow milk proteins, goat milk proteins contain higher levels of certain amino acids such as tryptophan and cysteine, while offering similar overall nutritional value.
They also possess superior functional qualities, such as better emulsifying and foaming capacity which make them attractive for developing new food products.
Research further shows a range of health benefits linked to goat milk proteins, including immunomodulatory effects, allergy management, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, as well as antimicrobial and even anticancer potential.
