Vets turn fire on KCC for milk price reductions

By Ramadhan Rajab

Veterinary doctors have criticised the reduction of milk prices delivered to New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) owing to oversupply of the commodity.

Under the aegis Kenya Veterinary Association, the vets called the reduction unnecessary, since the cost of production has not dropped.

"The decrease of Sh2 per litre of delivered milk was most unfortunate, and should be rescinded since the cost of production has never decreased. Instead it keeps going up," said KVA’s Vice-President, Dr Christopher Wanga.

The reduction of milk producer prices has been occasioned by the commodity glut and closure of KCC for routine maintenance.

The vets further urged the Government to ensure KCC buys all the milk from farmers since it is their mandate to do so.

Wanga pointed out that part of the New KCC’s mandate is to act as strategic reserve holder for all milk farmers, a role it is failing to perform at the moment. Thousands of litres of milk have being going to waste following the failure of KCC to buy the commodity from farmers.

KVA said the reason why the Government is funding new KCC is to supply milk to areas where other dairy companies cannot reach, and also act as a reserve to enhance food security in times of drought.

"If the KCC don’t know their mandate, it is to act as a strategic reserve holder for all milk Kenyan farmers can produce. Otherwise have no business being funded by Government to be in the milk industry," said Wanga.

Wanga said it was unfortunate that farmers were incurring losses, yet other parts of the country are in dire need of fresh milk. He said it is the onus of KCC to distribute milk to these areas.