Githunguri Dairy Farmers Cooperative Society has introduced electric motorbikes to strengthen extension services, improve milk quality and reduce operational costs across its vast dairy network in Kiambu County.
The cooperative has deployed 19 electric motorcycles under a Ksh452 million modernisation programme aimed at addressing persistent challenges facing smallholder dairy farmers, including delayed technical support, low productivity and post-harvest losses.
The bikes are being used by newly recruited extension officers to reach farmers faster, particularly in rural areas where fuel costs and frequent breakdowns have previously hampered service delivery.
Githunguri Dairy chairperson John Ndichu said timely support is critical in dairy farming, noting that delayed interventions often result in milk losses and reduced farmer incomes.
The initiative is part of the Maziwa Faida programme, a public-private partnership involving UNIDO, Tetra Pak and the Swedish Embassy in Kenya, which promotes clean energy, technology adoption and farmer training.
The electric motorbikes are powered through the cooperative’s solar systems, significantly lowering fuel and maintenance costs. Officials say the shift is expected to cut transport expenses by nearly half.
To maximise impact, the cooperative has hired 35 additional extension officers, reducing the farmer-to-officer ratio and ensuring more frequent farm visits. Officers have also been equipped with laptops to digitise farm records and deliver data-driven advisory services.
Githunguri Dairy processes about 250,000 litres of milk daily and targets production of 350,000 litres per day by 2027, positioning clean mobility and efficient extension services at the centre of its growth strategy.
