Public Health Issues in Kenyan Milk Market

Current milk flow channels in Kenya clearly show that informal milk markets dominate; with approximately 86% of milk sold raw or unpasteurised. This dominance is mainly due to consumer preference for raw milk and the relatively high cost of pasteurised milk. The milk is either sold directly to consumers by farmers, or passed to consumers through cooperatives, retail outlets (including shops and kiosks), or small-scale traders (including hawkers and milk bars). Small-scale traders create valuable employment and generate respectable incomes for themselves, while acting as a cost-effective link between dairy producers and their consumers.

However, there has been growing concern about the public health risks from informally marketed milk. This brief presents the results of a survey and an analysis of the major risks identified in relation to market factors. Additionally, the brief shows evidence of improvements that can be made through training small milk traders in hygienic handling.