Kenya’s debate over buffalo farming has moved from agricultural policy into the political arena after President William Ruto proposed introducing domesticated water buffaloes to diversify milk production amid tightening supplies. The proposal has drawn criticism from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, while raising questions about the costs, regulation and commercial viability of establishing a new livestock industry.
Speaking at the Agriculture and Food Security Transformation Summit in Nairobi on October 8, Ruto said the government should explore sourcing improved buffalo and camel breeds to expand milk production. He said he had instructed Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke to investigate the possibility, suggesting that the country could begin with a small-scale pilot.
“If others are milking them, why can’t we do the same?” the President asked, arguing that Kenya needed to diversify its milk sources.
The proposal comes as consumers in several urban centres face difficulties obtaining milk, with reduced deliveries to processors attributed to dry weather, declining pasture and rising animal-feed costs.
Presently, formal milk deliveries to processors declined from 84.4 million litres in June 2026 to 81.3 million litres in July, before falling further to 75 million litres in August. The newspaper also reported that retail prices of some available milk products had increased by as much as 30 per cent.
Political criticism over the proposal
The President’s proposal quickly attracted political criticism from Gachagua, who questioned the logic of considering imported buffaloes while Kenyan consumers were struggling to access an essential household commodity.
Speaking by telephone during a public engagement in Kakamega on October 10, Gachagua ridiculed the proposal, asking whether the government was taking Kenyans for fools by suggesting that buffaloes from India could help address the shortage.
He also challenged the contrast between the administration’s claims of rising national milk production and the difficulties consumers were experiencing in supermarkets.
The disagreement reflects two competing questions in the national debate: whether Kenya should explore alternative sources of agricultural production and whether the government should first address weaknesses in existing dairy supply chains.
Ruto has presented buffalo farming as an opportunity for diversification rather than a replacement for conventional dairy cattle. Gachagua’s criticism, meanwhile, has focused on the immediate shortage and the practicality of the proposed response.
Neither position, by itself, establishes whether buffalo farming would be commercially successful. That determination would require evidence from research, controlled trials and market assessments.
A legal framework already exists, but questions remain
The proposal is not entirely new. In January 2025, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe declared the domesticated water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) a food animal under Gazette Notice No. 977, pursuant to the Meat Control Act.
However, the decision prompted scrutiny from nominated Senator Catherine Mumma, who asked the Senate Agriculture Committee to explain whether due process had been followed, whether public participation had taken place, and what research supported the animal’s classification as a food source.
Mumma also sought information on the involvement of the Kenya Wildlife Service, the availability of buffaloes for sustainable production and the economic viability of the proposed industry.
The distinction between domesticated water buffaloes and African buffaloes is important. The former are raised commercially in several countries, while the latter are wild animals associated with African savannah ecosystems. The 2025 declaration concerned domesticated water buffaloes, not unrestricted farming or exploitation of Kenya’s wild buffalo populations.
The Kenya Wildlife Service states that wildlife-related commercial activities are subject to applicable permits and licences. Any proposed introduction of animals would also need to comply with relevant import, veterinary and food-safety requirements.
What buffalo farming could mean for the Kenyan market
The economic case rests partly on the characteristics of buffalo milk. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), water buffaloes are an important source of milk in India and Pakistan, where established dairy industries have developed around specialised breeds.
FAO data indicates that river buffaloes can produce between 1,500 and 4,500 litres of milk per lactation, although actual yields depend on breed, management and production conditions. Buffalo milk also has, on average, roughly twice the fat content of cow’s milk, making it suitable for products such as cheese, butter and other dairy derivatives.
For Kenya, this could create opportunities for farmers, processors and entrepreneurs seeking to develop higher-value dairy products. Buffalo farming could potentially diversify agricultural incomes and supply specialised markets, provided consumers are willing to purchase the products at prices that make production commercially viable.
Buffalo meat could offer another market opportunity. However, legal recognition as a food animal does not demonstrate that demand exists at a scale sufficient to support a profitable industry. Farmers would need reliable buyers, suitable slaughter and processing facilities, veterinary services and an efficient distribution network.
There are also significant costs and risks. Importing breeding stock, providing appropriate feed and water, establishing veterinary controls and developing processing capacity would require investment. Kenya would need to assess whether those expenses could be justified against improving the productivity of its existing dairy herd.
The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation identifies inadequate feed, high input costs, animal-health challenges and limited market access among the constraints affecting the livestock sector. These are issues a buffalo-farming programme would also need to address.
Addressing the immediate shortage
The immediate challenge is ensuring that milk reaches consumers consistently and remains affordable. In September, Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke attributed declining deliveries to prolonged dry conditions and announced measures to improve feed availability, including facilitating access to feed-manufacturing raw materials. The government has also considered a milk stabilisation fund to preserve surplus production for periods of shortage.
Buffalo farming may eventually contribute to Kenya’s agricultural diversification, but it cannot be assumed to resolve an immediate supply problem. A pilot programme, transparent research findings, public consultation and a clear cost-benefit assessment would help establish whether the proposal is practical.
For now, the political dispute has brought a legitimate policy question into public view: should Kenya expand its sources of agricultural production, strengthen its existing dairy industry, or pursue both approaches?
The answer will depend less on the novelty of the animal than on whether the government can demonstrate that the investment will improve food security, create viable livelihoods and deliver tangible benefits to Kenyan consumers.