Nairobi — Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has warned that Kenya's ambition to expand dairy exports will stall unless farmers and feed manufacturers eliminate aflatoxin contamination and embrace a quality-based payment system.

Speaking at the official opening of the 17th African Dairy Conference and Exhibition (AFDA17) in Nairobi, Kagwe said contaminated animal feeds were undermining Kenya's competitiveness in international markets.

"No export without quality. Aflatoxin in maize feeds passes straight into milk and locks us out of lucrative markets. If we are serious about doubling production and exporting, we must fix feed quality first," he said.

The CS said the government will soon roll out a Good Quality Milk certification programme to benchmark hygiene and safety. Under the plan, farmers delivering high-quality milk will earn premium payments, while substandard supplies will be penalised.

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"To recognise and reward quality, we must differentiate. Those who produce better must earn better," Kagwe said.

He urged feed manufacturers and farmers to adopt Aflasafe, a biological product that reduces aflatoxin in maize, as part of efforts to safeguard milk quality.

Kenya produced 5.3 billion litres of milk in 2024, but the government is targeting 10 billion litres in coming years under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Kagwe said achieving this target will require reducing feed costs, upgrading cattle breeds, and incentivising quality production.

He also called on African countries to share best practices and harmonise dairy standards under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying the continent should not continue importing milk powders despite its vast potential.