Embu MCA wants cheap milk from Uganda banned

An Embu MCA has called for a ban on sale of milk from Uganda to cushion the county’s dairy farmers from huge losses and exploitation by local creameries.

According to Kagaari South MCA Robert Ireri, packets of milk from Uganda in Embu shops means local dairy farmers have to discard their milk due to lack of market and overproduction.

The Ward Rep also wants an explanation from officials who approved sale of the cheap milk from Uganda to be sold in Kenya at the expense of local dairy farmers.

He said that he intends to push for formulation of a policy to regulate production, marketing and sale of milk and other dairy products within Embu county to protect farmers.

He further lamented about local milk companies who he claims were taking advantage of the glut to exploit dairy farmers by buying the commodity cheaply and at times withholding payments for long periods.

The MCA singled out the Kenya Cooperative Creameries and Brookside who he claims were buying a litre of milk at Ksh. 29 and Ksh. 31 respectively, down from Ksh. 35.

Speaking at the County Assembly Chambers during a plenary sitting, Ireri revealed that Brookside had not paid Kirimiri Farmers’ Self-Help Group for the last two months, yet they were still picking the product every day.

He said dairy farmers have nowhere else to take their milk.