Marketed milk production in Kenya rose by 6.9% from 754.3 million litres in 2022 to 806.6 million litres in 2023.
What’s Kenya’s milk production? The 2024 Economic Survey by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) said the increase was due to improved pastures and fodder. However, milk production declined from 4.6 billion litres in 2022 to 4.57 billion litres in 2023.
During the period under review, milk prices rose by 7.7% from KSh 4,720.43 in 2022 to KSh 5,083.00 per 100 litres. “Likewise, the quantities of processed milk and cream increased by 17.3% to 555.4 million litres in 2023. Further, the quantities of processed butter and ghee also recorded an increase of 34.7 per cent from 742.0 tonnes to 999.6 tonnes,” KNBS stated. Which tycoons own milk companies in Kenya?
1. The Kenyatta family, Brookside
According to its website, Brookside has been in operation for over 25 years. It operates in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The company buys raw milk from over 200,000 farmers and processes it. In addition to Brookside, its other brands include Ilara, Tuzo, Molo Milk, and Delamere. The Kenyatta family owns 50% of the company, while Danone controls a 40% stake. The Abraaj Group owns the remaining 10%.
2. Daima Milk – Deyvani Food Industries Kenya Ltd.
The Daima Milk brand is owned by its parent company, Deyvani Food Industries Kenya Ltd. Other milk products the company produces are ghee, yoghurt and butter. According to its website, it boasts 50 million consumers, over 30 products, and employs over 500 people.
3. Meru Dairy Co-operative Union Ltd
Meru Dairy Co-operative Union Ltd was established in 1985 to help Mt Kenya farmers market their produce. It was formed by three cooperative societies: Katheri, Naari, and Buuri. In 1972, it merged with the Coffee Union to form the giant Meru Farmers Co-operative Union. Its factory can process 500,000 litres of milk daily. The company processes Mt Kenya fresh milk, Mt Kenya yoghurt, and Mt Kenya ghee.
4. Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd
Data on its website indicate that the Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society Ltd was formed in 1961 by 31 dairy farmers. The society has expanded to over 17,000 members with 68 milk collection centres. The company, which processes 170,000 litres of milk daily, is behind the production of the Fresha brand. It exports over 250,000 litres of milk to the Middle East, including Yemen, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
5. Wimssy Limited – Winnie Wandimi
Winnie Wandimi founded Wimssy Limited in Kiambu over a decade ago and is its chief executive officer. The entrepreneur revealed she gained interest in dairy production after growing up on a farm. “I used to love dairy from a young age, and as I grew up, I knew I would do something in dairy. My parents were farmers, so I always loved cows and milk,” she narrated.
by Japhet Ruto
