Ruto’s Economic Adviser Reveal How Affordable Housing Projects Are Contributing to Milk Shortages

President William Ruto’s economic adviser David Ndii has explained the milk shortages being experienced in supermarkets, attributing the situation to increased consumption among Kenyans, including workers employed at affordable housing construction sites.

Ndii argued that Kenya was producing more milk than before the current administration took office, suggesting that the problem was not declining national production but growing demand from consumers.

Speaking during the 2026 NCBA Economic Forum on Tuesday, November 3, Ndii said workers at government affordable housing projects had become significant consumers of milk, with contractors providing the commodity as part of their daily supplies.

He pointed out that hundreds of thousands of people working at construction sites were consuming milk, contributing to increased demand that could explain why supermarket shelves were running out of stock.

According to Ndii, Kenya’s annual milk production had increased by approximately 20 per cent to reach 5.6 billion litres, citing figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).

He also claimed that milk intake by processors had increased by 34 per cent, arguing that the figures demonstrated significant growth in the country’s dairy industry.

Ndii questioned why supermarkets were experiencing stockouts despite the reported increase in production and processing, maintaining that rising consumption was a possible explanation.

However, the explanation comes amid statistics showing a decline in formal milk deliveries to processors in recent months.

Data cited by The Star showed that milk deliveries to processors dropped from 88.89 million litres in May 2026 to 75 million litres in August, representing a decline of approximately 16 per cent.

The Kenya Dairy Board attributed the reduction largely to drought conditions and increased pressure on animal feeds, which have affected milk production and collection.

KNBS figures also showed that formal milk intake declined from 81.3 million litres in July to 77.1 million litres in August.

Meanwhile, the shortages have affected consumers, with some supermarkets reportedly limiting purchases as shoppers struggle to find their preferred milk brands.

The situation has also contributed to rising prices. KNBS data indicated that fresh packaged milk prices increased by six per cent in September, while ultra-high-temperature milk recorded an eight per cent rise.

Ndii maintained that increased demand was an important factor behind the shortages, even as the figures on formal milk deliveries point to additional challenges affecting the supply chain.

Link; https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2026-11-03-ndii-construction-workers-driving-milk-shortages?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAcGRvZgRzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8yNzUyNTQ2OTI1OTgyNzkAAR8hpKJPcbp5Vs3yxeA-U0EcW09H6GXp0_5hzIXuIBRdPz0JqaxViLeaGcgopQ_aem_DUJ3VyzNkgNIEI7R4PQ3tw

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