Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s continuous attack on Brookside isn’t healthy for farmers

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s continuous attack on Brookside, a privately owned company by the Kenyatta family, has raised concerns about the government’s approach to reforming the dairy sector.

While it is true that the dairy sector faces significant challenges, targeting a single company is not the solution.

In recent years, the Kenyatta family has dominated the dairy industry in Kenya through Brookside Dairy, which controls a significant share of the market. However, the Deputy President’s claims that the family has bought out all milk companies in the country are not accurate. There are still other players in the market, and increasing competition should be the focus of reforms.

Instead of attacking Brookside, the government should consider increasing the cost of milk. While this may not be a popular solution, it would have a significant impact on the dairy sector. An increase in the cost of milk would make dairy farming more profitable and attract more investment in the sector. This would lead to increased competition, and ultimately benefit farmers and consumers.

Kenya is facing numerous challenges, including low prices and a lack of support for small-scale farmers.

While some may argue that the cost of milk should be lowered to make it more affordable for consumers, this approach may not be sustainable in the long run.

Lower prices could lead to a decrease in production as farmers struggle to make a profit, which would only exacerbate the problems facing the industry.

Increasing the cost of milk, on the other hand, could provide much-needed support for local dairy farmers.

By ensuring that farmers receive fair prices for their products, the government can incentivize them to continue producing milk and investing in their farms.

This, in turn, could lead to increased productivity and higher-quality milk, which would benefit both farmers and consumers.

It is also worth noting that attacking private companies like Brookside is not the solution to the challenges facing the dairy sector.

Brookside, like any other private company, has the right to operate within the confines of the law and should not be targeted simply because of its ownership.

Moreover, singling out one company as the cause of the challenges facing the dairy sector is both unfair and misguided.

In conclusion, the Kenyan government should prioritize supporting local dairy farmers by increasing the cost of milk instead of targeting private companies like Brookside.