Embu Milk Stakeholders Push for Runyenjes KCC Factory to be Handed to Farmers

Kenya Dairy Board Chairman Genesio Mugo addressing milk farmers at Kigari Teachers' College Embu. MWINGI TIMES |Brian Musyoka

The farmers say placing the factory under farmer ownership would boost milk production, curb persistent wastage and increase incomes across Embu and neighbouring counties.

Speaking in Embu during the launch of the EMKITHA Milk Farmers Union on Thursday 15th January 2026, which brings together dairy farmers from Embu, Kirinyaga and Tharaka Nithi counties, Kenya Dairy Board Chairman Genesio Mugo said the Runyenjes factory has remained idle despite its strategic importance.

“The Runyenjes KCC factory is grossly underutilised yet it has huge potential. If it is given to Embu milk farmers through their cooperative, it can completely transform dairy farming in this region,” Mugo said.

He noted that milk wastage has been a recurring problem due to lack of processing capacity, especially during peak production seasons.

“When farmers have nowhere to take their milk, they are forced to pour it away. Giving them this factory will drastically reduce wastage and stabilise the market,” he added.

Mugo further said farmer ownership would allow value addition, enabling producers to earn more from processed products rather than selling raw milk at low prices. "Value addition is the future. With this factory, farmers can process milk into yoghurt, mala and other products, putting more money directly into their pockets,” he said.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire welcomed the proposal, saying the county government is ready to support the revival of the factory if it is handed over to farmers. "We have already set aside Sh200 million as county support towards the Runyenjes factory once it is given to Embu farmers,” Mbarire said.

She urged the national government to complement the county’s effort with additional funding to fully modernise the facility. "I am appealing to the national government to add Sh500 million so that the factory can be equipped with modern machinery and proper infrastructure to serve our farmers effectively,” she said.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the government is open to the proposal and promised to escalate the matter to President William Ruto. “I will push this request to the President, but I want to urge milk farmers in Embu to first unite. Unity is key if you want such strategic assets entrusted to you,” Kagwe said.

He emphasised that strong, united cooperatives give farmers better leverage in the market. “When farmers come together and deliver milk to a central point, they gain bargaining power and can negotiate better prices,” he added.

The launch of the EMKITHA Milk Farmers Union was hailed as a major step towards regional cooperation, with leaders saying it will strengthen farmers' voices and improve coordination across counties.

Stakeholders expressed optimism that farmer-led management of the Runyenjes KCC factory would mark a turning point for dairy farming in Embu, positioning the county as a major milk processing hub in the region.