Sale of laced milk in jerrycans spurs protests

Residents of Maralal Town in Samburu County took to the streets over the sale of milk allegedly laced with chemicals and sold to unsuspecting consumers in jerricans.

They walked to County Commissioner John Korir’s office chanting slogans and waving placards over the milk that they say poses a dangerous risk.

“We keep livestock and we have enough milk, we don’t want this one that is posing a threat to our health; women rely on milk to feed their children,” said David Lentiyo, a Samburu county council elder.

The residents claim that unscrupulous businessmen are using dangerous chemicals to preserve milk that is then transported in jerrycans from Nyahururu in Laikipia to various towns in Samburu County.

According to Julius Lalampa, chairperson of the Samburu Dairy Farmers Association, 2500 litres of the chemical-laced milk is being supplied in Maralal Town on a daily basis.

He also lamented that introduction of the cheap, adulterated milk has negatively affected milk market.

The protesters were even more angered when the county commissioner refused to address them.

“We came here in the morning with our complaint in a peaceful demonstration, we have come here looking for him but he has refused to talk to us,” said Jilliscent Lenkupae.

The demonstrators threatened to take the law into their own hands and close down businesses selling the milk.