Milk vendors make a killing as shortage hits outlets

BUSIA: A milk shortage has hit the county, with major supermarkets and outlets going without any for the last one week.

A spot check at Yako, Khetias, Tesia and Ronak supermarkets revealed a lack of milk on the shelves as milk vendors made a killing after doubling their prices.

Before it disappeared from the counters, milk was retailing at Sh50 per litre.

Locals now fear the price might shoot up owing to its non-availability.

Peter Wabomba, a milk vendor in Namuyemba estate, said since milk disappeared from the major outlets, he has increased the price of a cup from Sh20 to Sh30.

ADVERSE WEATHER

Khetias Supermarket Director Ashok Khetia said the shortage had been occasioned by the adverse weather.

He further said that the situation had affected most parts of the country.

“We are very sorry for the current milk shortage.

‘However, we expect things to normalise once the rains start. Let us just be patient,” he said.

Agriculture Executive Patrick Koyi blamed the shortage on poor capacity by farmers to keep many cows that could have supplemented the shortage.

“We know adverse weather has affected many farmers.

“But we are encouraging them to keep more dairy cows so we can have enough milk to tide us through times such as these,” he said.