NAIROBI, Kenya- In a win for dairy farmers in the Gichugu area of Kirinyaga County, a local cooperative supported by the county government has launched its own yogurt brand, “Runto Yogurt.”
This development, led by Governor Anne Waiguru’s Wezesha empowerment program, marks a milestone in dairy value addition that’s expected to boost incomes and reshape the local dairy industry.
The county government, through the Wezesha Kirinyaga initiative, has provided state-of-the-art yogurt-making equipment to Rung’eto Farmers’ Cooperative Society, enabling it to produce up to 200 liters of yogurt per hour.
This move is part of a larger effort to increase revenue for dairy farmers by turning raw milk into high-demand products.
Speaking at the launch, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance and Economic Planning, Jackline Njogu, highlighted how dairy value addition can provide farmers with higher returns.
“With the new yogurt production line, we’re giving farmers the tools to generate more income from the same milk,” Njogu noted.
Beyond yogurt, the county has also invested in other support initiatives—subsidized animal feeds, artificial insemination (AI), and milk coolers—that have helped farmers boost production.
These efforts have already raised milk production from an average of 3,000 liters a day to around 9,000 liters daily.
Njogu described Runto Yogurt as just one of many success stories born from the Wezesha Empowerment Program.
Other cooperatives, including Kirima, Pondago, and Rukingo, have also benefited from these dairy-focused investments.
Currently, Kirinyaga has around 90,000 dairy cows, producing an average of 65.3 million liters of milk annually—a figure the county aims to increase by enhancing dairy cow breeds and providing training on disease prevention and cattle husbandry.
“This yogurt launch represents our commitment to putting more money in farmers’ pockets,” Njogu said.
To ensure Runto Yogurt gains traction in the competitive dairy market, the Kirinyaga Investment and Development Authority (KIDA) is stepping in to support branding and distribution across the region.
“Our goal is to make dairy a primary economic engine for Kirinyaga,” Dr. Gachara said. By focusing on improved cattle breeding and access to affordable, quality feeds, the county hopes to increase average milk production from 7 liters to 20 liters per cow.
Gachara urged farmers to take advantage of the county’s ongoing initiatives, which promise a stronger local economy and higher profits for dairy producers.
