President William Ruto has announced the procurement of 230 milk coolers to be distributed to dairy farmers across Kenya, in a bid to improve milk quality and increase farmers’ earnings.

He revealed that 15 of these coolers will be allocated to Meru County.

Speaking at the 10th Annual Farmers Field Day hosted by the Meru Cooperative Union, the President emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader government strategy to strengthen the dairy sector through enhanced quality control, safety standards, and improved market access.

“The milk coolers are essential in preserving milk by curbing bacterial growth, which in turn extends shelf life and ensures safety,” said Ruto.

In another major announcement, the President disclosed that starting July 1, 2025, the government will slash the cost of sexed semen for dairy farmers from Sh4,000 to Sh1,000.

During the event, he added that farmers will pay Sh1,400 per unit to improve livestock breeds and increase productivity.

“We are determined to lower the cost of production and transform the dairy sector,” Ruto noted.

President Ruto also announced progress in the construction of a new animal feed plant by the Meru Dairy processor.

With the factory’s structure now complete, he said installation of machinery will be finalized by year-end.

To facilitate this, the government will inject an additional Sh100 million to equip the plant. This follows an earlier disbursement of Sh100 million in 2024 for the construction phase.

To further strengthen livestock health, the President directed that ongoing nationwide vaccination campaigns be extended to cover Meru County, as part of the government’s comprehensive livestock disease control efforts.

Highlighting the impact of recent reforms, the President reported that the annual value of Kenya’s milk production has surged from Sh40 billion in 2022 to Sh59 billion in 2024.

He credited this growth to policy changes that have raised the average farmgate milk price from Sh35 to Sh53 per litre.

“It’s encouraging to see farmers now earning up to Sh50 per litre compared to the Sh35 they received just a short while ago,” he said.

However, President Ruto also took time to address political distractions, making it clear that no amount of criticism or intimidation would derail his development plans.

Flanked by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, the Head of State dismissed his detractors as lacking concrete solutions for the country.

“Those shouting the loudest have no agenda. If you ask them what their plan for the country is, all they say is ‘Ruto Must Go.’ That is not leadership,” he remarked.

Ruto added that he is focused on delivering real change and would not be swayed by propaganda or political theatrics. “Let them wait for 2027. We’ll settle this at the ballot,” he declared.

Cooperatives and MSMEs, Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya called on dairy cooperatives to pursue partnerships to shield farmers from exploitative market practices.

He affirmed the administration’s commitment to raising living standards through strategic investments in agriculture.

“Kenyans must know that this government is firmly committed to bettering their lives. Let’s support this vision for a more prosperous future,” Oparanya said.

Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union CEO Kenneth Gitonga reported that their 146,000 members currently produce 620,000 litres of milk daily.

He said the goal of the field day was to explore ways of scaling up production for both domestic consumption and exports.

The event was attended by several government leaders, including Cabinet Secretaries Geoffrey Ruku (Public Service), Eric Mugaa (Water), and Meru Governor Isaac Muthuma.