Athi river: Kenya has commissioned an animal feed manufacturing facility in a move seen as a key step to doubling national milk production, strengthening feed standards, and positioning the country as a regional livestock powerhouse. The Sh3 billion De Heus Animal Nutrition factory in Athi River was officially commissioned on Wednesday by Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, who described the investment as part of a broader structural reform in Kenya’s livestock economy.
According to Kenya News Agency, the commissioning comes at a time when Kenya’s feed industry faces increased scrutiny. Farmers have raised concerns over inconsistent feed formulations, fluctuating performance from batch to batch, and over-diluted products that compromise productivity. Speaking during the launch, CS Kagwe emphasized that the future of Kenya’s dairy and meat sector lies in efficiency, nutrition, genetics, animal health, and most critically, quality feed. He stated, ‘Today is not just about commissioning a factory. It is about transforming Kenya’s livestock economy. We will not achieve this by merely increasing the number of cows. We will achieve it by increasing productivity per cow.’
The CS highlighted Kenya’s target to double annual milk production from Sh5.2 billion litres to Sh10 billion litres while also positioning itself to become a net exporter of live animals and meat. He noted that Government reforms are running parallel to private-sector investment. Under the Land Commercialization Initiative, Kenya is unlocking government land for structured commercial production of yellow maize and soybeans, which are key ingredients in feed manufacturing, while integrating small-scale farmers through contract farming models.
CS Kagwe stated that feed security must be localized and emphasized the need to reduce dependence on imports of key feed ingredients. Feed accounts for up to 60-70 percent of livestock production costs, making quality and consistency critical to farm profitability. The government plans to strengthen enforcement and implement a feed quality index to protect farmers from substandard formulations. He further emphasized that export markets demand strict standards and that Kenya’s competitiveness in milk powder, meat, and live animal exports will depend heavily on feed quality and animal health.
De Heus Chairman of the Board, Co de Heus, stated that the Athi River facility represents a Sh3 billion investment with an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tonnes. The facility integrates laboratory testing of raw materials, standardized recipe formulation, automated production systems, and batch-to-batch verification to ensure consistency. He noted that De Heus focuses exclusively on animal nutrition, positioning farmers as independent clients supported through knowledge transfer and technical services.
Managing Director of De Heus Kenya, Wiehan Visagie, explained that the decision to build locally was driven by persistent industry gaps in feed reliability and farmer confidence. He stressed the importance of pairing quality production with technical advisory services, nutrition planning, and on-farm support because real productivity happens when good feed meets good knowledge. The factory creates approximately 280 direct jobs, alongside additional indirect opportunities in logistics and supply chains.
Machakos County Governor, Wavinya Ndeti, described the plant as a boost to agro-industrial development and youth employment. Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Henk Jan Bakker, highlighted the broader partnership dimension of the project, reflecting confidence in Kenyan farmers and the future of agriculture.
With 35 outlets across Kenya and ambitions to serve regional markets including Uganda and Tanzania, the Athi River plant positions Kenya as a regional hub for livestock feed production. The plant represents a convergence of policy reform, private investment, and science-based production aimed at modernizing Kenya’s livestock value chain and securing its role in regional agricultural trade.
