In a powerful demonstration of the national government’s “Whole-of-Government” approach to rural transformation, the Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Mr. Stephen Isaboke, EBS, joined his counterpart from the State Department for Livestock Development, PS Jonathan Mueke, to officially hand over state-of-the-art bulk milk coolers to cooperative societies across Nyamira and Kisii counties.
The joint initiative effectively combines physical agricultural infrastructure with digital connectivity to directly support the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), aiming to turn local dairy cooperatives into thriving commercial enterprises.
The high-profile rollout began in Nyamira County, where PS Isaboke and PS Mueke handed over five modern bulk milk coolers valued at KSh. 24.8 million. Joined by the area Member of Parliament for West Mugirango Stephen Mogaka, the Kenya Dairy Board Chief Executive Officer, and local leaders, the team underscored the government’s commitment to eliminating painful post-harvest losses that previously forced farmers into distress sales to middlemen.
These five new 1,000-litre capacity coolers will serve more than 1,500 local dairy farmers, allowing them to aggregate 5,000 litres of milk daily and secure KSh. 245,000 in collective daily income. Crucially, the installations will save 1.825 million litres of milk from spoilage, preserving KSh. 91.25 million that would have otherwise vanished from the hard work of Nyamira families.
The five specific beneficiary groups applauded during the Nyamira handing-over ceremony include the Gesima Farmers Cooperation Society in Gesima Ward, Masaba North Sub-County; the Kineni Farmers Cooperative Society in Esise Ward, Borabu Sub-County; and the Bonyasige Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society in Magombo Ward, Manga Sub-County. The rollout also incorporated the Kebirigo Farmers Cooperative Society in Bonyamatuta Ward, Nyamira South / West Mugirango Sub-County, alongside the Magwagwa Farmers Cooperative Society in Magwagwa Ward, Nyamira North Sub-County.
These groups are expected to leverage the new assets to increase their collective bargaining power with major processors and introduce Quality-Based Payment Systems to reward their farmers.
The high-profile rollout then moved to Kisii County, where Governor Paul Simba Arati hosted the team. Accompanied by the Governor, the principal secretaries flagged off four brand-new, modern bulk milk coolers representing a total national government investment of KSh. 18.8 million, inclusive of all vital accessories and professional installation.
“These solar-driven, 1,000-litre capacity coolers are set to immediately benefit over 1,200 local dairy farmers across various sub-counties, enabling them to aggregate an impressive 4,000 litres of milk every single day,” said PS Mueke.
He noted that by protecting the daily yield from post-harvest spoilage, the infrastructure will save 1.460 million litres of milk annually, effectively preserving KSh. 71.6 million for the local economy and injecting KSh. 196,000 daily directly into the pockets of local producers.
Among the celebrated beneficiary groups in Kisii County is the Kekapu Women Group based in Nyosia within Bogeka Ward, Kitutu Chache South, led by Monicah Awino, Martha Monyanke, Rhoda Kavuka, and Lilia Otiso, demonstrating the project’s capacity to economically uplift communities by empowering women.
“As dairy farmers, we are grateful to the national and county governments for donating the milk coolers to our groups because the equipment will boost milk production and improve our earnings,” said Awino.
The distribution also reached the Bote Dairy Sacco Society, commercially known as the Majoge Farmers Self Help Group in Nyamasembe, Boochi Tendere Ward in Bomachoge. Additionally, the Nyamarambe Township Milk Handling group in South Mugirango’s Bugetenga Ward and Anderson Kiriago, is strategically positioned to turn its center into a bustling commerce hub. T
he final Kisii asset was handed over to the Kisii South Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society at their new site in Bomakombi, Bomorenda Ward within Bonchari serving as an official launchpad to transform dairy commercialization in the sub-county.
“As a county, we remain committed to supporting the local dairy farmers by building our own local facility to provide a ready market and boost child nutrition,” said Governor Arati.
Following the distribution event, the team visited the County Milk Processing Factory at the Kisii Agricultural Training Center (ATC) to assess the progress of the project, which is aimed at driving value addition and supporting local dairy farmers.
Addressing the gatherings, PS Isaboke clarified the critical intersection between information technology and rural agriculture, explaining that ministries no longer operate in isolated silos under President Dr. William Samoei Ruto’s administration. While the State Department for Livestock Development expands the physical cold-chain architecture, the State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications provides the critical digital and information infrastructure that makes these assets commercially viable.
“By coupling the milk coolers with modern connectivity, farmers can utilize public communication channels, localized digital informational programs, and national platforms like the MyGov newspaper, KBC channels, and the Kenya News Agency,” noted Isaboke.
According to the PS, this digital footprint will allow producers to access daily market price indexes, track weather patterns, and receive instant updates on animal husbandry and cooperative management.
Beyond digitization, the government is introducing smart, green technology to ensure long-term sustainability. The newly distributed coolers run completely on solar power, which insulates the beneficiary groups from high electricity grids.
The solar infrastructure will save the Nyamira cooperative groups KSh. 5,000 every single day in electricity bills, translating to KSh. 1.825 million in annual savings. Similarly, the Kisii cooperative groups will save KSh. 4,000 daily, amounting to KSh. 1.46 million in savings annually.
These massive utility savings can go directly back toward paying local farmers better rates while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions to preserve the environment.
This joint ministerial initiative directly expands upon the foundation laid during Phase One of the Livestock Value Chain Support Project between 2017 and 2022, which delivered five 3,000-litre capacity coolers to Nyamira and four to Kisii.
With the national project targeted at contributing to a 30% increase in household incomes among dairy farming and pastoralist communities by the year 2028, the government has challenged the cooperative managements to guard and maintain these investments meticulously, motivating farmers to breed better cows and scale up daily production.
