More benefits ahead for KCC dairy farmers

The chairman of Kenya Co-operative Creameries (KCC) Matu Wamae now says that plans are underway by the government to revert the ownership of the new KCC firm to dairy farmers.

Speaking on Friday at the new KCC Nyahururu factory during a shareholders meeting to commission a milk tanker, where he said that dairy farmers will be allowed to be part of shareholders and therefore help in managing the company.

“Dairy farmers who are shareholders will have the opportunity to own the company once the process is complete, the government also will have some shareholding in the company in order to ensure it is well managed,” Wamae said.

On his part, the New KCC Managing Director Nixon Sigey expressed his concern over the rising cases of fake milk products in the markets, especially noting the manufacturing of fake yogurts in the country.

“The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) should investigate the conduct of unscrupulous people who manufacture fake products and bring them to account,” he said.

He also encouraged farmers to continue producing sufficient milk across the country adding that it was critical to the sustainability of available markets, and transforming livelihoods of farmers and those of surrounding locals.

“As farmers you should not only increase milk production but you should also enhance its quality, we have also partnered with several counties to facilitate school milk program.”

Speaking on the sidelines of the event farmers expressed their concerns over the price of farm inputs, decrying that they are quite expensive, calling on the government to look into the matter.

“There is a need to review the prices of milk deliveries so that farmers are able to access the dairy feeds and other crucial services and also make a profit from the enterprise,” one of the farmers said.