Construction of a milk processing plant underway in Murang'a

A group of dairy farmers in Kangema are building a milk processing factory.

The processor that will be owned by Kangema Unity Investment is expected to be ready in December, according to group patron Tiras Ngahu.

Mr Ngahu, a former MP, said the project is one of the initiatives designed to uplift the living standards of members.

He said milk collection centres will be established in Muguru, Kanyenya-ini and Rwathia wards to co-ordinate transportation of the produce to the plant.

Ngahu, who spoke yesterday during the annual general meeting of Kangema Unity Investment at Kiamara village, said the decision to establish the plant was reached by members.

The group also owns 400 acres of land in Rumuruti, Laikipia.

“We have 400 members who raised the money we used to procure the land. The balance facilitated construction of the milk processor, including purchase of equipment,” said Ngahu.

Address concerns

The group's chairman John Mugo asked the Government to address concerns of dairy farming, especially the high cost of animal feeds.

"The Government should address challenges faced by farmers to enable increased production, enhance food security and, generally, improve quality of life," said Mr Mugo.

He added: "Both the national and county governments should also consider providing farmers with cheap loans to increase production. This will make it easy for them to buy quality farm inputs and animal feeds."

Other challenges dairy farmers have been facing is lack of coolers and poor roads, which have hampered transportation of milk.

The plant will be the third in the county after the privately owned Aspendo Dairies based in Kangema town and Murang’a Cooperative Creameries (MCC), owned by the county government.

MCC also runs two cooling plants in Githumu and Kangema markets, while Brookside Dairies operates a cooling plant in Maragua town.