// BBC WORLD NEWS — MONDO
Kenya's chai tea lovers are not happy as the nation's cows run dry
Chai, made by boiling tea in generous amounts of milk, is sometimes flavoured with ginger and spices
Kenyans love their milky tea, or chai, but some are facing the worrying possibility of doing without as the country has been hit by a milk shortage.
A breakfast here is often incomplete without a cup of chai, made by boiling tea in generous amounts of milk, sometimes flavoured with ginger and spices. It is often served at meetings and during social visits, with many people taking the hot brew several times a day.
But now some may have to do without as supermarket chilled sections are nearly empty. Retailers have upped the price and are limiting how much shoppers can take home.
The government has put the dearth of milk in recent months down to drought, which has significantly reduced pasture and hampered production.
But the recent shortages are unusual, with the country's industry regulator itself admitting to "supply constraints" and "low stock levels" across the country.
Muthoni Macharia, who runs a restaurant in the capital, Nairobi, usually buys more than 70 packets of fresh milk - and is desperate and puzzled by the scarcity.
"Where has the milk gone?" she asked when the BBC spoke to her as she was out searching for at least a few packets to quench her customers thirst for chai.
For restaurant owner Muthoni Macharia, the milk shortage means a loss of business
Macharia says there have been shortages for about a week - and it was especially affecting her morning rush hour. Her regulars are not happy: some opting to take their tea black - but many will not.