Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and other leaders during the commissioning of the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union animal feed mill in Mitunguu, Meru County, July 25, 2026/DCPS
Dairy Farmers in Meru are set to boost their production after the government helped build a new animal feed mill that has already begun production.
The mill in Mitunguu, South Imenti constituency, owned by Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union, has already begun manufacturing animal feeds.
The company had availed land and mooted Sh200 million for the animal feeds factory back in 2023 when President William Ruto pledged to give Sh100 million to help set up the initiative.
Speaking on Saturday in Meru after commissioning the animal feed, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said the government honoured his pledge and will give out another Sh100 million for phase two.
Kindiki said the animal feed mill will help dairy farmers in Meru County and nearby counties reduce the cost of production.
"It will sell dairy meal at a subsidised rate of Sh2800 instead of Sh3200 per 50kg sack," Kindiki said.
Kindiki said the mill will help farmers maximise their production.
Kindiki spoke at Meru Showground where he attended the 11th annual dairy farmers field day after he earlier commissioned Meru Maziwa Millers in Mitunguu.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and other leaders during the commissioning of the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union animal feed mill in Mitunguu, Meru County, July 25, 2026/DCPS
He said the Kenya Kwanza government has also subsidised the price of sexed semen that was Sh7000 when President Ruto took charge and is now available at Sh1400.
"From August 1, farmers will be getting Sh52 per litre up from Sh50; that is a way to help farmers maximise their profits," Kindiki said.
Meru Dairy Central Union CEO Kenneth Gitonga said milk farmers should aim to learn how to increase their milk production in their cows, as it is practical.
He outlined the growth of the factory; he said in 2023 they had 11012 farmers, but now they have 161874 farmers.
"Our current milk intake in 2023 was 287,000 litres; now it's 670,000 litres. In 2023, we had 139 societies; now we have 168. The total sales in 2023 were 9.3 billion; last year they rose to 20.1 billion, and this year it is likely to hit 25 billion," Gitonga said.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and other leaders during the commissioning of the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union animal feed mill in Mitunguu, Meru County, July 25, 2026/DCPS
Gitonga said the Meru Maziwa Millers, which is owned by the company, has the capacity to produce animal feeds for cows, pigs and chicken.
"In phase two, we want to build a second processing line, and in phase three we want to have silos and driers so that we can store enough raw materials as we anticipate huge demand to serve Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said they will work on availing more sexed semen to increase dairy production.
Cooperative CS Wycliffe Oparanya said mismanagement has led to the downfall of many Cooperatives and they are working on a cooperative bill to streamline the sector.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and other leaders during the commissioning of the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union animal feed mill in Mitunguu, Meru County, July 25, 2026/DCPS
