The Kenya Dairy Board has marked the end of a transformative era as it bids farewell to Managing Director Margaret Rugut Kibogy, whose nine-year tenure leaves a lasting imprint on the country’s dairy sector. Kibogy, the first woman to lead the regulatory agency since its establishment in 1958, is being celebrated for her trailblazing leadership and visionary reforms that helped position Kenya as a global player in the dairy industry.
Appointed in 2016, Kibogy steered the sector through pivotal changes, most notably the introduction and enforcement of the Dairy Industry Regulations, 2021. The regulations enhanced governance and sustainability across the value chain, creating a more robust framework for growth and compliance.
A staunch advocate for farmers, Kibogy pushed for the implementation of minimum guaranteed producer prices—an initiative that stabilized the market and offered financial security to dairy producers. The resulting confidence in the sector helped grow the industry’s value to an estimated Ksh 300 billion.
Under her watch, the Kenya Dairy Board established the National Dairy Regulatory Laboratory, a modern facility that boosted quality assurance and safety in dairy products. Meanwhile, the volume of formally marketed milk rose dramatically, from 591 million litres in 2017 to over 900 million litres in 2024. Exports also surged, jumping from Ksh 0.31 billion to Ksh 9.4 billion over the same period, underlining Kenya’s increasing competitiveness on the international stage.
Kibogy’s tenure was equally marked by institutional reforms. She oversaw the construction of the Board’s new headquarters, expanded regional outreach, digitized internal processes, and encouraged investment in the sector, paving the way for new processors and mini dairies.
Her leadership has not gone unnoticed. Kibogy was named Agricultural Champion of the Year by the East Africa Women of Excellence Awards and was honored as CEO of the Year by the Women on Boards Network. The Kenya Dairy Board itself earned multiple accolades during her administration, reflecting the wider impact of her leadership.
In embracing digital transformation, Kibogy broadened the Board’s engagement with stakeholders, using social media to share success stories and highlight Kenya’s evolving dairy landscape.
As she steps down, stakeholders across the sector are reflecting on a legacy defined by innovation, resilience, and strategic foresight.
Margaret Kibogy leaves behind a revitalized industry and a leadership standard that will guide the next chapter of Kenya’s dairy story.