Kenyans hunt for milk as shelves run dry

A spot check by the Star across Nairobi found empty shelves and limited stocks

For many urban households, the morning routine was once simple: put on the kettle, brew tea and pour in fresh milk.

Today, that familiar ritual has become a frustrating daily scavenger hunt, with shoppers moving from one supermarket to another in search of a packet.

“I have been looking for milk for the past two weeks. Yes, you will be told of a place with milk, but when you delay, you find empty shelves,” says Cyndy, a shopper in Nairobi.

She says when she tries to buy milk at the bigger supermarkets, she often finds only brands selling at around Sh135 a packet, a price she considers difficult to justify.

“How can milk be that expensive? It’s not like it’s lactose-free,” she asks. Buying milk from shops in residential estates is another option, although Cyndy says customers are often limited to two or three packets.

Source: The Star