Nakuru to Host First-Ever Milk Value Chain Conference

In Summary

• Nakuru County to host inaugural Milk Value Chain Conference and Exhibition from September 4–5, 2025.
• Over 200 exhibitors expected to showcase innovations in dairy technology and value addition.
• Conference theme: “Climate Resilience, Innovation, Technology in Dairy Production, Processing and Trade Through Farmers Empowerment.”
• Experts from government, research institutions, and regulatory agencies to provide specialist input.
• Focus on boosting productivity, food safety, value addition, and market access.
• Nakuru produced 318 million litres of milk worth KSh 13.9B in 2024, supporting over 500,000 livelihoods.
• Event to run in both physical (Kunste Hotel) and virtual formats for wider participation.

Nakuru County will host the first-ever Milk Value Chain Conference and Exhibition from September 4 to 5, 2025, bringing together farmers, policymakers, researchers, and dairy industry stakeholders to chart the future of Kenya’s dairy sector.

The event, organized by the County Government of Nakuru, the Nakuru County Dairy Platform (NACODA), and partners, will feature over 200 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technologies and innovations in milk production, processing, packaging, and marketing.

Expert-led discussions and innovation showcase

NACODA Chairperson Waweru Nyaangi said experts from government ministries, research institutions, regulatory bodies, and state agencies have confirmed participation to provide technical guidance on dairy productivity, food safety, and market standards.

“The conference will help improve productivity, ensure quality and safety of milk and dairy products, and diversify value-added products to boost farmer incomes,” said Nyaangi.

Panel discussions will cover dairy innovations, sustainable production, nutrition, food safety, packaging, financing, and market access, alongside exhibitions of new technologies to strengthen the value chain.

Driving Nakuru’s dairy economy

Nakuru is one of Kenya’s leading dairy producers, generating 318 million litres of milk worth KSh 13.9 billion in 2024.

The county projects production to hit KSh 16 billion within three years, driven by a herd of 466,800 cattle and over 120,000 farming families, sustaining more than 500,000 livelihoods.

Governor Susan Kihika’s administration has prioritized value addition and partnerships with institutions such as the Kenya Dairy Board (KDB) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) under the MoreMilk 2 program.

National and regional importance

The dairy sector contributes significantly to Kenya’s economy, with Nakuru, Nyandarua, Kiambu, Meru, and Nyeri collectively accounting for 80% of national milk production.

The forum will also review policies, investment opportunities, and financing models to grow Kenya’s dairy trade regionally and globally.

Hybrid participation for wider reach

Themed “Climate Resilience, Innovation, Technology in Dairy Production, Processing and Trade Through Farmers Empowerment,” the conference will run in both physical sessions at Kunste Hotel, Nakuru, and virtual formats to allow broader participation across Kenya and beyond.

“This event will provide a platform for learning, networking, and policy dialogue to remove bottlenecks in the sector and open new markets for Kenyan dairy products,” Nyaangi said.