President William Ruto has announced the distribution of 650 milk coolers before December.
Speaking on Tuesday in Nyeri, the President said that the project which costs the government Sh8 billion, will help farmers in milk preservation.
"My instructions are that before December, the milk coolers should be in Kenya, distributed to all farmers in all areas," Ruto said.
"I know it can be done earlier and we have agreed it can start as early as September but before December, farmers must have them."
He had earlier announced that his government plans to reinstate the stalled milk coolers’ programme and the distribution.
The coolers were to be supplied in areas that largely depend on dairy farming as the main source of income.
The President urged the county government and elected leaders to play their roles once the coolers are brought.
"I will bring the milk coolers but it is up to you (leaders) to show us where they will be stationed so that you can also set up the necessary infrastructure needed, to have the facilities set up," Ruto said.
He commended the dairy sector as one of the key pillars in agriculture which largely contributes to the economy.
On Monday, Ruto also said the government halted the importation of milk from other countries to allow the circulation of local milk.
"We have stopped the importation of milk from other countries. This issue is stopped so that the locally produced milk can now be put to use," he said.
He further said that taxes on animal feeds will be scraped to allow the farmers access feeds at a lower price so that they can make their profits.
During the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens in 2022, President Ruto said dairy farmers struggle with the high cost of feed and challenges of storage, preservation of milk and access to markets.
"In our plan, we have identified dairy and livestock economy as sub-sectors with the quickest economic turnaround time and they will become key drivers in improving food security, creating jobs and boosting exports," he said.
