Gachagua Goes After Ruto Over Proposal to Import Buffaloes to Ease Milk Shortage

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticized President William Ruto over a plan to import buffaloes to address the ongoing milk shortage in the country. 

Speaking on Saturday, October 10, Gachagua said the plan contradicts Ruto’s claims that milk production has increased since he came to office. 

The former DP said the government should be focusing on increasing the number of dairy cows to boost local milk production instead of exploring to import buffaloes. 

“I heard Ruto yesterday saying that there is no milk and that he will consult with his government on how to bring buffaloes from India so that people can milk them. Is he taking us for fools?” Gachagua posed.

“Instead of increasing the number of cows, you want to bring buffaloes? Can buffaloes really produce milk? Gachagua posed. 

The DCP Party leader also questioned the safety of the plan, arguing that the buffaloes could injure farmers attempting to milk them.

“Won’t they injure the people trying to milk them?” he added.

On Friday President Ruto hinted at exploring buffalo milk amid the ongoing milk shortage in the country.

President Ruto attributed the local shortage to drought but noted that buffaloes and camels produce more milk than domesticated cows.

He claimed that India had already explored the option and directed Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke to look for suitable breeds of buffaloes and camels that would be used to boost milk production in the country.

"We currently have a milk shortage in the country because of the drought and other issues. I had told PS Jonathan Mueke to help us source a better camel breed and to bring a good buffalo breed because I hear buffaloes produce a lot of milk.

"In India, they consume buffalo milk, and we wanted to begin with small samples so that we can see whether it is viable because if other people are milking buffaloes, why can't we?" Ruto posed.