Kevine Otieno: A dairy innovator

Today, Kevine stands as a testament to the adage, “The expert in anything was once a beginner.” From being the subject of ridicule, he has transformed into an accomplished dairy expert, significantly contributing to the growth and sustainability of the dairy industry in East Africa. His journey has seen him don multiple hats, from setting up dairy farms and training staff to developing strategic plans and training dairy farmers and milk handlers. His pivotal role as an extension services consultant in the Netherlands East African Dairy Partnership (NEADAP2) project, where he mapped dairy advisory service providers across six East African countries, is particularly noteworthy.

Kevine’s commitment to the One Health advocacy is evident in his social entrepreneurship endeavours. He offers training services on food quality and safety management, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. His impactful projects in his community earned him the distinguished alumnus badge of the Mandela Washington Fellowship, a prestigious leadership program by the US government.

To ensure the scalability and sustainability of his programs, Kevine founded Dairy Pulse, a dynamic platform that serves as a comprehensive knowledge base and a vibrant community hub. This innovative platform facilitates interactions among farmers, industry experts, and service providers, providing a thriving forum for dairy value chain actors to connect, share experiences, and learn from industry experts. It also provides a marketplace for farmers to advertise products and services, and offers service providers a convenient booking system for seamless client management.

Kevine’s expertise and dedication make him an invaluable resource in the dairy industry. His wealth of knowledge, practical experience, and passion for digital extension are leveraged for sustainable dairy development, anchored on the 3Ps of sustainability: people, planet, and profitability.