GACHAGUA Mocks Ruto’s Plan To Import Buffaloes From India Over Milk Shortage

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit out at President William Ruto over his proposal to import buffaloes from India to address the ongoing milk shortage in the country.

Speaking on Saturday, October 10, Gachagua questioned the logic behind the plan, saying it contradicts Ruto’s own claims that milk production has increased since he came to office.

“So, because there’s a milk shortage in Kenya, Ruto wants to bring buffaloes from India. Instead of bringing cows, he wants to bring buffaloes. How can you milk a buffalo? Won’t that kill people?” Gachagua posed.

The DCP Party leader said the government should focus on increasing the number of dairy cows to boost local milk production instead of exploring buffalo farming.

“Instead of increasing the number of cows, you want to bring buffaloes? Can buffaloes really produce milk? Won’t they injure the people trying to milk them?” he added.

Gachagua’s remarks come after President Ruto on Friday, October 9, announced at the Agriculture and Food Systems Transformation Summit at Jamhuri Park in Nairobi that he had directed Livestock Development PS Jonathan Mueke to source improved camel breeds and domesticated water buffaloes.

“I hear buffaloes also produce a lot of milk. In India, they are actively working with buffaloes… If others are milking them, why shouldn’t we?” Ruto said, noting that camel milk is now retailing at KSh180 to KSh200 per litre in Nairobi, almost three times cow milk.

Ruto attributed the shortage to drought, saying formal milk deliveries fell from 84.4 million litres in June to 81.3 million litres in July, pushing a 500ml packet from KSh60-70 to KSh75-80.

The proposal has since sparked hilarious memes online, with Kenyans joking about “Nyati Fresh Milk” and the dangers of milking Kenya’s aggressive Cape buffalo compared to India’s docile water buffalo.

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