Nairobi: The Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA) has called for increased investment in quality animal feed production, emphasizing its critical role in boosting livestock productivity, strengthening food security, and transforming Kenya’s agricultural sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, AKEFEMA Chairman Joseph Karuri, speaking ahead of the AKEFEMA Feeds Exhibition and Conference (AFEC) 2026, stated that the livestock industry must become more productive and resilient to meet the rising demand for milk, meat, eggs, and fish as Kenya’s population is projected to surpass 100 million by 2050.
More than 200 local and international feed manufacturers are expected to gather in Nairobi this week for the two-day conference. The event will focus on addressing challenges within the sector and exploring strategies for enhancing investment, innovation, and sustainability.
Karuri highlighted that a robust feed industry serves as the foundation for livestock production. He noted that quality animal feeds improve productivity, increase farmers’ incomes, create employment opportunities, enhance nutrition, and contribute to economic growth. Despite this, the industry faces significant challenges, including shortages of key feed raw materials, climate change, global supply chain disruptions, rising production costs, and the need for stronger quality assurance systems.
“Currently, we are unable to produce enough commercial feeds for the country’s livestock largely due to shortages of key raw materials. From the available resources, we are only able to produce 2.5 million metric tons, slightly over 60 percent of the country’s installed capacity of four million metric tons,” Karuri explained.
He stressed that overcoming these challenges requires coordinated efforts among government agencies, feed manufacturers, farmers, researchers, financial institutions, development partners, and technology providers. Karuri noted that AFEC 2026 will offer a platform for stakeholders to exchange knowledge, showcase innovations, explore investment opportunities, and recommend policy interventions to enhance the competitiveness of Kenya’s feed industry.
Karuri also pointed out Kenya’s potential to become Eastern Africa’s leading hub for feed manufacturing and animal nutrition. Achieving this would require increased investment in local production of feed ingredients, modern manufacturing technologies, research, innovation, quality assurance systems, and farmer training. While advocating for increased domestic production of feed raw materials, Karuri acknowledged that strategic regional and international sourcing would remain necessary in the short and medium terms to ensure stable supplies and affordable feeds.
He reaffirmed AKEFEMA’s commitment to promoting compliance with national standards, good manufacturing practices, traceability, and industry self-regulation, emphasizing that safe animal feed is essential for safe food production and consumer confidence.
AKEFEMA Deputy Chairman David Murumba highlighted the industry’s promotion of Near Infrared (NIR) technology adoption, which enables real-time analysis of raw materials and improves feed quality, safety, and accuracy in formulation. Murumba suggested that wider use of this technology, along with modern automated milling equipment, would help reduce production costs, improve livestock productivity, and detect contaminants such as mycotoxins before processing.
He urged the government to waive import duties on animal feed raw materials to address shortages and reduce production costs, noting that only about 10 percent of feed manufacturers have adopted NIR technology.
AKEFEMA Chief Executive Officer Paul Kamau pointed out that Africa’s growing population, expanding middle class, and large livestock population present significant opportunities for the animal feed sector. However, these opportunities require the adoption of modern technologies and innovative approaches to production. Kamau emphasized that improved feed manufacturing systems, intensive farming methods, and biotechnology in crop production would be crucial in increasing yields and ensuring reliable supplies of feed ingredients for both livestock and human consumption.
AKEFEMA Deputy Secretary General Dr. Wilfred Kamau called for increased investment in the sector, highlighting that access to capital is essential for small and medium-sized millers to expand operations, improve quality, and modernize their facilities. He suggested that investment in machinery, skilled personnel, and quality raw materials would help lower feed costs and make animal products such as eggs, milk, and pork more affordable to consumers.
AFEC 2026 is scheduled to take place on July 15 and 16 in Nairobi, bringing together stakeholders from the animal feed sector from 27 countries across six continents.
