Ruto Endorses Ndii’s Theory on Supermarket Milk Shortages

President William Ruto has supported a perspective from his economic advisor David Ndii regarding milk shortages in supermarkets, asserting they stem from heightened demand among laborers engaged in the Affordable Housing Programme, as climbing employment and purchasing capability alter consumption trends. Addressing the audience on Wednesday during the Industrialisation Summit at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Ruto noted that Kenya’s yearly milk output expanded from roughly 4.6 billion liters to 5.5 billion liters during the previous year. He additionally pointed to figures from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicating a 36 percent growth in milk processing capacity. The Head of State stated that the boost in yield and processing aligned with a growth in the population of citizens capable of purchasing milk, which encompasses laborers on affordable housing building sites. Public inquiries regarding the reasons behind a milk shortage found an early response from an associate, Ruto noted, referencing statements made by his economic advisor David Ndii. Ndii had ascribed the supply constraints to elevated consumption, maintaining that a larger share of citizens received earnings and could consequently purchase fundamental goods like tea and milk. Ruto remarked that nearly two million extra citizens had transitioned into jobs, featuring 1.1 million individuals deployed within the affordable housing domain. This represents how circumstances transform, he stated, contending that growing revenues were shaping the demand for products and services. The President mentioned that comparable shifts regarding consumption and output were occurring across alternative areas, such as coffee and tea. Concluding his address, he asserted that parallel narratives apply to coffee and tea sectors since national figures have experienced transformation. His comments emerge amidst reports regarding milk deficits across supermarkets and retail stores, where select shops restrict quantities and shoppers encounter difficulties locating specific brands. Ndii had previously referenced heightened domestic output and processor absorption to maintain that the shortages arose from demand instead of a reduction in milk availability. Nonetheless, statistics concerning formal milk supplies have displayed variations over the preceding months. An October 19 assessment revealed that deliveries destined for processors dropped from 88.89 million liters during May to 75 million liters by August 2026. The Kenya Dairy Board connected the reduction mostly to dry spells and strain regarding livestock feed, while additionally emphasizing obstacles touching on milk collection, processing, and distribution. The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics August 2026 Leading Economic Indicators report documented official milk intake at 77.1 million liters, representing a decrease from 81.3 million liters in July.