Ruto Announces Major Price Cut on Sexed Semen From KSh8,000 to KSh1,400 to Help Dairy Farmers

President William Ruto has announced that the government has reduced the cost of sexed semen used in dairy cattle breeding from KSh8,000 to KSh1,400, in a move aimed at helping farmers improve milk production across Kenya.

Speaking during the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Ruto said the reduction is part of government efforts to make modern farming technologies affordable to ordinary dairy farmers.

The president explained that the high cost of sexed semen had previously made it difficult for many small-scale farmers to access improved breeding services. With the new price, more farmers are expected to benefit from modern cattle breeding methods.

Sexed semen is specially processed to increase the chances of a cow giving birth to a female calf. Female calves are important in dairy farming because they grow into cows that can produce milk, helping farmers expand their herds and increase production.

Unlike ordinary semen, which gives farmers a roughly equal chance of getting male or female calves, sexed semen significantly increases the likelihood of producing female calves, although the outcome is not guaranteed.

The reduction from KSh8,000 to KSh1,400 represents a price drop of KSh6,600, making the breeding service considerably cheaper for farmers who previously struggled to afford it.

Ruto said his administration is committed to supporting the agricultural sector through affordable breeding services, improved animal health and better access to markets.

Dairy farming remains an important source of income for thousands of Kenyan families, particularly in counties such as Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Nakuru, Nyandarua and Bomet.

However, farmers continue to face challenges such as expensive animal feeds, livestock diseases, unpredictable weather and fluctuating milk prices. These problems have made it difficult for some farmers to earn enough money from their dairy businesses.

The government hopes that improving access to quality breeding services will help farmers produce more productive dairy cows and increase milk supply in the coming years.

The announcement also comes alongside the president’s plan to increase milk payments to KSh65 per litre, with an additional quarterly bonus for farmers supplying milk through the government’s dairy support programme.

For farmers, the lower cost of sexed semen could provide an opportunity to improve the quality of their dairy herds without spending large amounts of money on breeding services.

The success of the programme will depend on whether the subsidised semen is widely available and whether farmers can access qualified insemination services.

If successfully implemented, the initiative could help improve dairy farming, increase household incomes and strengthen Kenya’s milk production industry.

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