Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday ordered a comprehensive crackdown on individuals smuggling powdered milk into the country.
Speaking during the commissioning of the Kenya Co-operative Creameries (KCC) milk plant in Nyahururu, Laikipia, the DP lamented about the existence of powdered milk smugglers, who he claimed have been crippling the agriculture sector.
"Issues of state capture are what had been frustrating these farmers for the last ten years, and it has come to an end," Gachagua remarked.
“Currently, those who used to frustrate milk farmers, they were importing powdered milk, they put water in, stir, then add little milk and sell the way they want."
In a move to curb the smuggling of powdered milk into the country, the DP noted he had ordered officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) alongside border officers to arrest those attempting to bring in the contraband milk powder.
"We have put adequate measures, our people from Kenya Dairy Board in conjunction with the DCI and customs officers have put adequate arrangements in every border entry and I assure farmers, that no powdered milk will come from outside and get into the country," the DP noted.
“This time round, our government has said there is no more powdered milk getting into the country, let the milk be bought from farmers.”
According to Gachagua, the existence of powdered milk in the Kenyan market has distorted milk prices, and thus the latest move is aimed at protecting milk processors and farmers from unwarranted market competition with rogue milk retailers.
"And the President, as we speak, those people who had captured the country have now turned into smugglers who bring powdered milk through the borders of Kenya," Gachagua added.
The DP's sentiments come against the backdrop of recent arrests by the DCI on individuals selling contraband milk powder.
On January 6, DCI officers arrested five people in Eastleigh Estate, Nairobi linked to the sale of illegal milk powder.
During the operation, detectives recovered about 25kg full cream milk powder packed in deplorable condition.
"This followed an undercover operation by DCI officers tasked to flush out identified criminal syndicates releasing substandard and harmful products to the market, illegal ventures that not only cause unfair competition with genuine sellers but also put consumers' health on the line," read DCI's statement in part.
