Alex Mwakideu Floats Idea of Buffalo Milk Farming in Kenya

Alex Mwakideu has sparked debate after suggesting that Kenya could explore water buffalo farming as an alternative source of milk, following practices in India and other countries.

In a video shared on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, Mwakideu questioned why Kenya could not consider keeping and milking water buffalo to boost local dairy production and potentially supplement the country’s milk supply.

His remarks centred on the possibility of diversifying livestock farming beyond the traditional reliance on cows.

‘Mtakamua buffalo, hatujasema mkule’

Mwakideu challenged Kenyans to consider whether water buffalo could become part of the country’s dairy industry, pointing to countries where the animals are already reared for milk production.

“Kwa sababu inaweza… tukaongeza idadi ya maziwa hapa nchini,” he said, suggesting that buffalo farming could help increase milk production locally.

He cited India and other countries where farmers milk buffaloes, arguing that Kenya could explore similar practices.

The words accompanying his video, “Mtakamua buffalo. Hatujasema mkule,” captured the central message of his discussion: milking the animals does not necessarily mean eating their meat.

Why Mwakideu Is Looking at Water Buffaloes

Water buffaloes are domesticated livestock in several countries and are widely used for dairy production, particularly in South Asia.

Mwakideu wondered whether Kenya could import the animals from countries such as India and introduce them to local farms as an additional source of milk.

“Tukianza kuwa kama pale majumbani nchini India,” he said, drawing attention to the practice of keeping buffaloes on farms and using them for agricultural purposes.

Buffalo milk differs from cow’s milk in its composition, generally containing higher levels of fat and protein. It is also used to make dairy products such as yoghurt, cheese and butter.

However, Mwakideu’s comments were exploratory rather than a formal proposal to introduce buffalo farming in Kenya.

Milk, Meat and Alternative Livestock

The media personality also touched on the possibility of using buffaloes for meat, questioning why the idea might attract concern when the animals are already consumed in some countries.

His remarks raised broader questions about livestock diversification and whether Kenya could adopt alternative dairy farming practices to complement existing production.

While cattle remain central to Kenya’s dairy industry, exploring other milk-producing animals could prompt discussions about production costs, animal adaptability, feeding requirements and market demand.