Nairobi: The government is set to introduce a Sh465 billion National Feed Strategy designed to cut the high costs associated with animal feed, thereby reducing livestock production expenses and enhancing Kenya’s food security and market competitiveness within the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Head of the Animal Feed and Nutrition Section at the State Department for Livestock Development, Newton Kariuki, underscored the criticality of affordable, quality feed in increasing the production of milk, meat, and eggs. Speaking at the African Feed Conference and Exhibition (AFEC) 2026 in Nairobi, Kariuki highlighted that animal feed constitutes up to 80 percent of livestock production costs.
Kariuki revealed that the government is collaborating with the Association of Kenya Feed Manufacturers (AKEFEMA) and other stakeholders to tackle ongoing challenges in the feed industry. The 10-year strategy aims to expand feed and fodder production, bolster local feed manufacturing, and improve livestock productivity, complementing the Livestock Master Plan that guides investments based on agroecological zones.
Kenya currently faces a 60 percent deficit in animal feed raw materials, compelling manufacturers to depend on costly imports that are susceptible to tariffs and global supply chain disruptions. The strategy seeks to mitigate import reliance by promoting local production of key feed ingredients through contract farming and encouraging manufacturers to use East African Community duty remission incentives to reduce the cost of imported raw materials.
A Strategic National Feed Reserve is also in the works to store hay, silage, and fodder during surplus periods for use during droughts. Additionally, the One Ward, One Fodder Initiative aims to produce 300,000 metric tonnes of dry matter annually by 2028 across Kenya’s 1,450 wards.
Kariuki advocated for science-based discussions on genetically modified feed ingredients, asserting that biotechnology could cut production costs and enhance feed availability while maintaining biosafety standards. He also expressed concerns over adulterated and poorly labeled animal feeds, calling for stricter enforcement of quality standards and increased investment in precision feed formulation, digital feed quality monitoring, climate-smart forage production, and alternative protein sources like black soldier fly larvae.
He emphasized the importance of quality feed for farmers, noting that what animals consume eventually impacts human food safety. Kariuki urged county governments to prioritize feed and fodder production in their development plans, stating that quality feed is foundational to a productive livestock sector.
He credited the country’s growth in milk production to supportive government policies, commercial investments in the dairy industry, improved breeding programs, artificial insemination services, subsidized fertilizer enhancing fodder production, and increasing demand for dairy products.
Meanwhile, AKEFEMA Chairman Joseph Karuri remarked that expanding local production of feed ingredients is the most sustainable approach to reducing feed costs. Karuri pointed out that the livestock sector contributes about three percent to Kenya’s GDP and 40 percent to agricultural GDP, supporting millions of livelihoods.
Karuri noted that Kenya produces approximately 2.5 million metric tonnes of compounded animal feed annually, with poultry accounting for 60 percent of commercial feed consumption and dairy 29 percent. Over 80 percent of critical feed ingredients, including soybeans, sunflower meal, and cottonseed meal, are imported, which exposes manufacturers to volatile international markets.
Welcoming the government’s Duty Remission Scheme, which allows eligible manufacturers to import feed ingredients duty-free, Karuri stressed that expanding local production through contract farming of yellow maize, soybeans, sunflower, and canola would provide a lasting solution. He emphasized that local production of raw materials could significantly reduce feed prices.
Karuri also highlighted that poor animal nutrition remains a major constraint to livestock productivity despite the availability of improved breeds and encouraged farmers to improve the quality of forage, hay, and silage while adopting precision nutrition, automation, biotechnology, and climate-smart feeding systems.
John Muhia, Chief Executive Officer of House Farm, stated that technological innovations assist manufacturers in detecting aflatoxins and other mycotoxins before feed reaches the market, improving feed safety and protecting livestock health. He urged manufacturers to test both raw materials and finished products before releasing feeds for sale to ensure farmers receive safe, quality products.
The African Feed Conference and Exhibition has gathered policymakers, researchers, feed manufacturers, and development partners to discuss innovations, investments, and policy reforms aimed at strengthening Africa’s livestock sector.
