The Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) have formalised a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the goal of strengthening Kenya’s dairy sector through enhanced production, processing, food safety, and consumer awareness.

Announced in Nairobi, the agreement builds on years of close partnership—including their collaboration on the MoreMilk project, which seeks to accelerate innovation, inclusive growth, and sustainability across the entire dairy value chain.

“The MoreMilk 2 project exemplifies the synergy between KDB and ILRI,” said Dr. Kimutai Maritim, Managing Director of the Kenya Dairy Board. “It aligns squarely with our mandate to regulate, promote, and develop Kenya’s dairy industry.”

Dr. Maritim emphasized that this collaboration is not only about improving livelihoods and nutrition, but also instrumental in helping Kenya reach its ambitious target of doubling milk consumption by 2030—ensuring that growth remains sustainable, inclusive, and grounded in evidence.

The MoU leverages ILRI’s cutting‑edge scientific research alongside KDB’s policy and regulatory oversight, laying the foundation for a comprehensive “farm‑to‑glass” approach.

Appolinaire Djikeng, Director General of ILRI, underscored the timing of the partnership. Kenya’s rapidly expanding dairy market presents both opportunities and challenges.

“Together,” Djikeng said, “we can close critical gaps—strengthening both informal and formal dairy chains, elevating milk safety and quality standards, and scaling innovations that empower smallholder farmers with productivity and resilience.”

He noted that additional partners, such as the Kenya Animal Genetic Resources Centre (KAGRC), will play a pivotal role in advancing breeding programmes, improving animal genetics, and ensuring the national dairy herd can adapt to climate change and support greater output.

“Our work with KAGRC on distributing improved semen and embryos is vital,” he explained. “These interventions boost yields, enhance disease resistance, and ultimately improve livelihoods—while ensuring consumers have access to safe, nutritious milk.”

The Importance of Kenya’s Dairy Sector

Kenya’s dairy industry is already a powerhouse regionally: it contributes roughly 4–4.5% to the national GDP and about 12–14% of the agricultural GDP. makeitkenya.go.ke+3makeitkenya.go.ke+3Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest)+3
It supports around 1.8 million smallholder households, who produce over 80% of the nation’s milk. Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest)+1

Annual milk production is estimated at ≈ 5.2‑5.7 billion litres. Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest)+1 Meanwhile, per‑capita consumption hovers around 100‑110 litres per person per year, among the highest in sub‑Saharan Africa. makeitkenya.go.ke+2The Conversation+2

Despite strong demand, much of the milk is sold through informal channels—raw or minimally processed—posing challenges for safety, quality control, and equitable income distribution. Foreign Agricultural Service+1

What the MoU Aims to Achieve

Through the newly inked partnership:

• The formal sector will be strengthened—with better regulation, enhanced processing, and improved cold chain logistics.

• Informal market segments will be supported through training, awareness campaigns, and safety surveillance.

• Innovations in animal genetics and feed, aided by partners like KAGRC, will boost productivity.

• Consumer awareness will be heightened around safety, nutrition, and the benefits of consuming high‑quality dairy products.

Looking Forward

Kenya’s National Dairy Master Plan and the Dairy Industry Sustainability Roadmap 2023‑2032 set out bold targets: to drastically scale up production, improve safety standards, broaden access for smallholders, and reduce environmental impacts while meeting growing domestic demand. The Star+2Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest)+2

By combining ILRI’s scientific strength with KDB’s regulatory clout, the MoU offers a timely boost to these ambitions—positioning the dairy sector as a central pillar in Kenya’s food security, nutritional wellbeing, and economic development.