President Uhuru has announced measures aimed at cushioning milk farmers in the country from stiff competition.
Addressing the nation on Tuesday from State House Mombasa, the Head of State ordered the Treasury to slap milk products from outside the East African Community with a 16% tax.
He also directed the Kenya Bureau of Statistics, Customs and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to impound milk products that fall below the set quality standards.
"I have directed the National Treasury to impose 16% VAT tax on all milk products from outside EAC, and further directed KEBS, Customs and DCI to impound any powdered milk or milk products that doesn’t meet our Kenyan standards," President Kenyatta said in his address.
The president's directive is good news to dairy farmers across the country, who have long called on the Kenyan government to intervene, and ensure they get better prices for their milk.
The move means that more local milk products will consumed, as compared to those imported from outside the EAC.