New KCC turns away dairy farmers

By Titus Too and James Munyeki

The Kenya Co-operative Creameries (KCC) plant at Lessos will not be receiving milk from farmers today and tomorrow.

In a notice to the farmers dated February 5 (yesterday), the only plant in Nandi East said reception closes on Saturday and Sunday for routine maintenance.

The closure of the plant has left farmers stuck with over 80,000 litres of milk. The development comes as Co-operative Development Assistant Minister Linah Jebii Kilimo said the Government was carrying out reforms in the dairy sector to increase milk processing.

The Standard on Saturday has established that dairy farmers incurred heavy losses last month through this month as output outstripped processing capacity.

Overwhelmed, the plant has been turning away farmers with their produce.

Simon Nyoros, a farmer, said better breeding methods and improved pasture have boosted milk production and failure by the facility to receive milk would lead to heavy losses.

"I supply 80 litres of milk to the plant daily. Where will I sell milk for the two days the plant will be closed?" quipped Nyoros.

He said at the current rate of Sh22 per litre, the firm’s two-day closure will cost him up to Sh3,520.

Meanwhile, leaders in Central Province have opposed the move by New KCC to reduce the price it pays for milk from farmers.

In just one month, the New KCC has reduced the price of milk from Sh26 per litre to Sh20.

Ol Kalou MP Erastus Mureithi and political activist Mary Wambui termed the move oppressive and aimed at ‘killing’ the fledgling dairy industry.

The two accused unnamed powerful people in Government for orchestrating the move for their personal gain.

They also warned that if unresolved, the action by the company to cut prices on milk delivered will cripple the co-operative sector in regions that are heavy on dairy farming.

"We fear those behind the action are the same people who contributed to the collapse of the tea, coffee and pyrethrum sectors," Mureithi said.

He asked the Ministry of Livestock and that of Co-operatives to resolve the matter before the dairy sector collapses.