Nandi’s dairy revolution gains momentum as modern processing plant launched

Nandi County has emerged as one of Kenya’s fastest growing dairy hubs following the commissioning of the Kabiyet Milk Processing Plant and the steady expansion of cooperative support systems. The county is now shifting from traditional milk production to modern processing and agribusiness.

The new Kabiyet facility, launched on May 15, 2025, marked a turning point for local farmers. Built at a cost of Ksh 1.2 billion with support from the World Bank, the plant has a daily processing capacity of over 200,000 litres. It also includes an ultra-high temperature production line, allowing milk to be preserved for longer and transported to distant markets. Farmers who previously sold raw milk to middlemen at low prices can now benefit from a stable, structured market. Reports show that while brokers bought milk at about Ksh 30 per litre and later resold it at up to Ksh 70 in towns, the new system offers producers a fairer and more reliable return.

Alongside the processing plant, Nandi has invested in milk cooling infrastructure across all wards to reduce post-harvest losses and improve quality. The county government has already equipped 25 cooling plants and supported farmers’ organisations in setting up 16 more. These efforts have boosted milk collection and storage, ensuring that farmers deliver larger volumes without compromising standards.

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Governor Stephen Sang and the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Cooperative Development, Dr Kiplimo Lagat, have both pointed to cooperatives as the backbone of the sector’s growth. Since 2017, cooperative membership has grown to over 400,000, with share capital standing at Ksh 2.35 billion and an annual turnover close to Ksh 2 billion. Plans are underway to establish a Cooperative Development Fund to provide affordable financing for equipment, transport, and digital systems.

Digitization has also been identified as a critical pillar for the dairy sector. Through platforms such as iCoop, the county aims to strengthen governance, improve transparency and enhance efficiency within societies. Farmers are further being encouraged to keep highly productive breeds, embrace bulking and adopt value addition as a way of raising profitability.

The county leadership has continued to urge smallholder farmers to shift from subsistence practices to agribusiness. With the support of cooperatives, new infrastructure and digital tools, Nandi is steadily positioning itself as a dairy hub that not only feeds its people but also creates wealth through branded and processed products.

By Benedict Aoya

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