NAIROBI, KENYA: The Government of Kenya has suspended a recent ban on the importation of milk powder into the country “to allow for the Dairy Industry (Import and Export) Regulations 2021 to apply accordingly”.
The Kenya Dairy Board had on March 6 announced an indefinite suspension of milk powder imports in move seen as protecting processors and farmers from lower prices since the milk powder imports could lead to a glut in the market since the anticipated seasonal rains are expected to significantly boost local milk production and reduce the need for imports.
However, in a statement dated March 14, 2023, Kenya’s Agriculture and Livestock Development Permanent Secretary Harry Kimtai announced the suspension of the ban on the milk powder imports.
“Take note that the importation of products under the East African Community (EAC) protocol refers to good being imported from outside the East African Community, while good traded within the EAC are referred to as transfers,” Mr Kimtai said.
In a tweet, the 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Affairs, Rebecca Kadaga said, “Am delighted to inform the dairy Industry in Uganda that the Ban on Milk products has been suspended.”
“I have also had fruitful discussions with Mr Abdi Dubat, Permanent Secretary in Kneya’s Ministry of East African Community on bilateral issues,” she added.
Earlier, the Private Sector Foundation Uganda (PSFU) protested the ban on Uganda’s diary Imports by Kenya.
“Kenya’s ban on importation of our products is not new, if it’s not milk, it’s eggs or grain. The ban contravenes the EAC (East African Community) trade protocols, the Common Market Protocol on the free movement of goods and services, as well as the agreement that established the African Free Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA),” Ms Sarah Kagingo, the Vice Chairperson of Private Sector Foundation of Uganda (PSFU) told this news website.
Asked what steps PSFU would take, Ms Kagingo said Uganda’s private sector apex body was engaging the Ugandan government.
“At a strategic level, we partner with the government in pursuit of integration of regional markets for the benefit of the entire private sector in the region. We are tabling the unfortunate development to the government to use their good offices and diplomatic mechanisms to engage Kenya,” Ms Kagingo said.
She added,” Regional trade should be the cornerstone of EAC Partner States’ policies. Our countries signed the Common Market Protocol in 2009, which came into force on 1st July 2010. However, the practice often contradicts what was ratified, and businessmen engaged in export need handholding. We (PSFU), in partnership with the Ugandan government, have held several business summits to nurture relations and resolve barriers to trade and travel. These efforts will bear fruit.”
The announcement suspending milk powder imports to Kenya had dampened hopes raised by President William Ruto when he took power and announced that cheap milk imports from Uganda would be allowed and that the Kenyan milk would be processed for the international market.
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