The Kenyan government is advancing the modernization and upgrade of New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) plants across the country. Cooperatives and the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Cabinet Secretary has outlined plans for modernizing several plants in 2023, such as Runyenjes in Embu, Narok, Mogotio, and Kabianga. A crucial facet of this program involves enhancing machinery in Miritini, Mombasa, to process powdered milk into a liquid suitable for export, with an allocation of approximately 700 million Kenyan Shillings ($4.6 million) for the transformation of the Runyenjes Milk Cooling Plant. The focus is encouraging local farmers to increase raw milk supply to support these developments.
Efforts in the initial phases of modernization expanded and upgraded plants like Kiganjo, Nyambene, and Nyahururu, incorporating state-of-the-art equipment for value addition and processing capacity. Discussions have commenced to regularize payment schedules with all 35 processors, addressing delayed payments to farmers. The government is also exploring using government-owned lands to cultivate animal fodder for sale to milk processors at a reduced cost, ultimately benefiting farmers and production. Embu Governor sees the upgraded facility as pivotal in providing free milk to Early Childhood Development Education learners and emphasizes the significance of proper animal husbandry and extension services to increase milk yields per cow.