Francis Wambugu Irungu Deputy President Kithure Kindiki urged residents of the Mt Kenya region on Saturday to stay united in their support for the Kenya Kwanza government, dismissing suggestions that the region’s standing within the administration was under threat.
Speaking to a large gathering of farmers at the 11th Annual Meru Dairy Farmers Field Day, held at ASK Gitoro Showground in Meru, the DP argued that political disagreements should not be allowed to jeopardize the progress dairy farmers have made under the current government.
He emphasized the historical unity of the region, noting that its people have shared strong economic and cultural ties dating back to independence, and should not let political competition divide them.
Responding indirectly to speculation about his political standing, Kindiki maintained that the region’s place in government remained firm, arguing that leadership performance should not be judged based on which region a leader hails from.
He also used a vivid analogy to stress his point, comparing the idea of the region abandoning government to someone building and furnishing a house, only to leave it behind to live in the wilderness, insisting that Mt Kenya’s role in government was permanent, not temporary.
On development matters, the Deputy President revealed that President William Ruto had instructed the Treasury to disburse Sh100 million this week toward the second phase of the Meru Dairy animal feeds factory, with an additional Sh100 million to be allocated through the Supplementary Budget to finalize its expansion. He explained that the completed factory would lower feed costs significantly, with a 50-kilogram bag expected to sell at around Sh2,800, down from the current Sh3,100–Sh3,200 range, a move he said would boost farmers’ profit margins.
Kindiki further announced an increase in milk payouts for Meru Dairy farmers, who will begin earning Sh52 per litre after deductions starting August 1, up from Sh50 currently. He added that the annual bonus paid to farmers would also rise to Sh54 per litre, crediting government-led reforms for pushing milk prices up from the Sh33–Sh37 range recorded in 2022.
He noted additional government support in the form of reduced prices for sexed semen, which he said had dropped significantly since Ruto took office, with ongoing efforts to make it more widely available due to rising demand among farmers.
The Deputy President also highlighted the expansion of the Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union, which now boasts 168 affiliated cooperative societies and more than 161,000 registered farmers. He pointed to a sharp rise in annual milk production, from 83.6 million litres in 2020 to over 220 million litres in 2025, as evidence of the sector’s growth.
Kindiki closed by challenging politicians campaigning in the Meru region to focus on tangible development achievements rather than political rhetoric, asking that they demonstrate their contribution to improving farmers’ livelihoods and milk pricing in the area.
