Milk Disappears From Shelves as Drought Squeezes Kenya’s Dairy Supply

Kenyans could face a longer wait for normal milk supplies as dry and cold conditions continue affecting dairy-producing regions.

Consumers in several urban areas have reported empty shelves, fewer brands and limited availability of preferred packet sizes. Some supermarkets have introduced purchase limits as they wait for new deliveries.

The Kenya Dairy Board says formal deliveries to processors fell by 3.7 per cent—from 84.4 million litres in June to 81.3 million litres in July 2026. Preliminary information suggests production declined further in August.

The regulator attributes the decline to seasonal conditions that have reduced pasture and fodder. Fresh pasteurised milk has been affected more heavily than long-life varieties.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has warned that imports could eventually be considered if the drought continues suppressing domestic production. The government nevertheless expects supplies to improve when the October rains restore pasture.

Importing milk may provide short-term relief, but it could also expose local farmers to cheaper competition. Any intervention must therefore protect consumers without destabilising the domestic dairy industry.

The shortage has revealed how vulnerable Kenya’s food supply remains to changing weather. Expanding fodder reserves, water storage and affordable animal feeds would provide a more durable solution than waiting for rain whenever production falls.