Parliament Now Wants the Government to Ban Influx of Cheap Milk Imports.

The Ministry of Agriculture has been accused of overseeing the fall of many dairy industries in Kenya. This in turn has resulted to influx of cheap imports from Uganda to the local market thus making Kenyan dairy farmers wane and count a number of losses. All these are happening despite the country producing enough milk for consumption and exportation.

Kenya imports nearly 120 million litres from East African Community (EAC) member states and 2 million litres from non EAC members. About 12 million litres is imported from the neighboring country to the west Uganda per month, making which approximately is 30% of the current average milk intakes by Kenyan Milk processes.

National assembly committee on Agriculture want the government to ban further importation of milk. The team led by chair, Adam Haji, who is the Member of Parliament of Mandera South said that the imports are not necessary. Documents that were presented by The Principal Secretary to the House committee shows that the Country is currently producing 5.6 billion litres of milk and consumes 5.17 billion litres meaning there is surplus of about 430 million litres.

The Principal Secretary in charge of Agriculture docket acknowledged that there is influx of cheap imports from other countries. He continued to say he could no nothing to prevent the entry of cheap milk imports which is making Kenyan farmers to count losses. He further said that the trade was part of East African Sates trade protocol which only the head of state can act on and not his docket.