PS Mueke Clarifies Claims Government Will Target Wild Buffaloes for Milk

Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke says the government will not hunt wild buffaloes in national parks to fix the milk shortage.

Speaking on Tuesday, October 13, Mueke said the State plans to import domesticated buffaloes, formerly called water buffaloes. He said officials want the Murrah breed from India.

Mueke said the breed produces highly nutritious milk. He explained that its fat content is almost three times that of cow milk. Processors can use it to make butter, cheese, yoghurt and ghee, which fetch higher prices.

His clarification follows remarks by President William Ruto on Friday, October 9. Ruto blamed the shortage on drought and other problems. He said buffaloes and camels produce more milk than cows. He directed Mueke to find better buffalo and camel breeds, and he proposed starting with small samples to test whether the idea works.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua rejected the plan on Saturday, October 10. He said the government should increase the number of dairy cows instead of importing buffaloes. He also questioned whether buffaloes can really produce milk.