Government Unveils Solar Milk Cooler to Boost Livestock Value Chains in Lamu
The national government has unveiled a 1,000-litre solar-powered milk cooler at Witu Livestock Cooperative Society Ltd in Lamu County, fulfilling a commitment made in August 2025 to strengthen livestock value chains, curb post-harvest losses and raise farm incomes. The facility was launched in Witu by Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke and Principal Secretary for Investment Promotion Abubakar Hassan Abubakar as part of a national cooler rollout spanning 40 counties.
Speaking at the unveiling, PS Abubakar underscored livestock as a strategic economic sector anchored on four value chains: the sale of live animals, milk, beef, hides and skins. He noted that most milk production in Lamu County is concentrated in Witu, positioning the area as a critical hub with strong growth potential particularly in the milk value chain through preservation and value addition.
“By investing in modern infrastructure such as milk coolers, we are strengthening livestock value chains, supporting value addition and creating meaningful employment opportunities for women and youth,” PS Abubakar said. He added that the livestock sector has presented opportunities for exports in Lamu, including live animal sales to halal meat markets such the Middle East, as well as growth in beef processing and the hides and skins industry.
PS Abubakar also highlighted the broader investment landscape in Lamu County, including cotton production, fisheries and manufacturing. He referenced ongoing public investments under the leadership of H.E. President William Ruto, such as leather industrialization initiatives aimed at reducing imports.
On his part, PS Mueke said the cooler, valued at Sh5 million was provided as a government grant under a subsidy program designed to boost milk production and prevent spoilage.
“The new cooler alone is expected to support the production of up to 4,000 packets of milk per day, significantly improving sales and incomes for cooperative members,” Mueke said. “Nationally, 230 milk coolers have been issued so far, reducing post-harvest losses from about 10 percent to 5 percent and contributing to an estimated 5,000 jobs along the value chain.”
He added that the Witu installation will directly benefit more than 1,700 livestock farmers by preserving milk at 4 degrees Celsius using solar power hence lowering electricity costs, improving quality and increasing take-home income. The initiative is also expected to boost exports of dairy products, including milk, yoghurt, cheese, butter and other value-added goods.
The cooler rollout aligns with wider government drought-mitigation and livestock-support measures, including insurance subsidies in arid and semi-arid counties, restocking programs and investments in abattoirs and export infrastructure. Collectively, these interventions aim to stabilize production, protect farmer livelihoods and expand market access.
Overall, the Witu milk cooler project marks a significant step in modernizing livestock farming in Lamu County, reducing losses, lifting productivity and strengthening value chains to deliver sustained economic growth and community benefits.