Kenya's President William Ruto's promotion of water buffalo milk sparks debate

Kenyan President William Ruto has proposed water buffalo milk as a solution to the country's ongoing dairy supply shortages. The suggestion caused confusion on social media, with many mistakenly associating it with the dangerous wild African buffalo, though the President was referring to the domesticated water buffalo common in Asia. While Kenya reports increased dairy production, local markets are still facing supply gaps due to drought and rising feed costs. The Kenyan government previously legalized water buffalo as livestock in 2025, but critics argue the focus should be on addressing the underlying challenges facing local dairy farmers rather than introducing new animal species. Experts emphasize that strict health and slaughter regulations remain in place for buffalo meat and dairy products.