Kenya’s Cereal Millers Association marks 25 years, calls for stronger food safety reforms
CS Kagwe applauded millers for their efforts and emphasized the need for greater visibility on food safety initiatives.
KENYA – The Cereal Millers Association (CMA) has launched its 25th anniversary celebrations with renewed calls for stronger food safety, reduced production costs, and improved access to financing in Kenya’s milling sector.
The milestone was marked during the association’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) on September 17, followed by a Full Members’ Forum graced by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
At the meeting, industry leaders highlighted key issues facing millers, including combating aflatoxin contamination, market imbalances, and credit pressures. CMA members also discussed ways to enhance consumer awareness and build stronger industry linkages to improve trust and competitiveness.
Cabinet Secretary Kagwe praised the efforts of millers to ensure food safety but stressed the need for greater visibility of these initiatives.
“If you wink in the dark, only you are aware of the wink. The industry needs to come out more and communicate about safe and nutritious food,” he told delegates, urging transparency in the sector’s public messaging.
Kagwe reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening grain production and post-harvest management, enhancing aflatoxin surveillance, and fostering closer collaboration between the state, CMA, and value-chain players. He also linked these measures to the country’s broader food security and trade competitiveness goals.
Adding context to these discussions, Secretary Kagwe recently projected a record maize harvest of 70 million 90-kilogram bags for 2025, an increase from 67 million in 2024, attributing this to improved agricultural policies and investments.
Such advancements are expected to alleviate market imbalances and reduce dependency on imports, further stabilizing food prices.
Food Safety at the Forefront
During the forum, participants deliberated on several critical issues impacting the industry.
Aflatoxin, a toxic substance produced by certain molds in grains, has long posed a significant threat to public health and agricultural productivity in Kenya, necessitating robust surveillance and mitigation efforts.
While larger millers have adopted regular testing and controls, smaller processors often lack resources to meet compliance standards.
Cabinet Secretary Kagwe commended the millers for their ongoing contributions to food security and stressed the imperative for increased transparency in their operations.
“The industry needs to come out more and communicate about safe and nutritious food.” He further highlighted the value of publicly disseminating the CMA’s initiatives to address aflatoxin, thereby assuring Kenyans of access to safe and premium-quality flour.
Rising costs and financing gaps
Millers also raised concerns over escalating production costs, driven by higher grain prices, energy expenses, and foreign exchange fluctuations.
Access to affordable credit remains a constraint for many processors, particularly medium-sized players. Industry leaders called for financing frameworks that would enable investments in technology, quality testing, and storage facilities that can help reduce contamination and losses.
The event coincided with the 2025 Kenya Millers Fortification Index Awards, co-hosted by the CMA and TechnoServe, which honored leading brands and companies in maize, wheat, and edible oil for their excellence in food fortification.
Fortification, involving the addition of essential nutrients to staple foods, plays a vital role in combating malnutrition and supporting public health.
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