ATHI RIVER, Kenya— Kenya has commissioned one of Africa’s largest animal feed manufacturing plants, as the government tightens standards in a bid to double milk production and raise meat output.
The Sh3 billion facility, built by Dutch firm De Heus in Athi River, was officially opened by Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe.
The factory has an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tonnes and is expected to play a central role in reforms targeting productivity, feed quality and export competitiveness.
Kagwe said Kenya’s dairy ambition — to increase annual milk production from 5.2 billion litres to 10 billion litres — will depend on improving output per animal rather than increasing herd numbers.
“Feed accounts for up to 60–70 percent of livestock production costs. We cannot tolerate substandard or over-diluted formulations that undermine farmer productivity,” he said, adding that a feed quality index will be introduced to enforce compliance.
Industry Under Pressure
Kenya’s feed industry has faced mounting scrutiny over inconsistent formulations and fluctuating quality. Farmers have long complained about unreliable batch performance, affecting dairy, poultry and pig production.
The new Athi River plant integrates laboratory testing of raw materials, automated formulation systems and batch verification to ensure consistency.
De Heus Chairman Co de Heus said the company’s model focuses exclusively on animal nutrition while supporting farmers through advisory services and technical training.
The firm operates more than 100 factories globally, producing around 16 million tonnes of feed annually.
Managing Director Wiehan Visagie said local manufacturing was driven by persistent quality gaps in the Kenyan market.
“For too long, feed has felt like a gamble for many farmers,” he said. “We are pairing quality production with technical advisory support because productivity happens when good feed meets good knowledge.”
Linking Feed to National Reform
The commissioning comes as government rolls out broader structural reforms in the livestock sector. Under the Land Commercialization Initiative, state land is being unlocked for structured production of yellow maize and soybeans — key feed ingredients — while integrating smallholder farmers through contract farming.
The government is also constructing 50 dams to expand irrigation and planning feed reserves to cushion producers during drought.
Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti described the plant as a boost to agro-industrial growth and youth employment. The facility is expected to create about 280 direct jobs, with additional opportunities in logistics and supply chains.
The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Kenya said the investment reflects confidence in Kenya’s agricultural potential and its regional ambitions.
Regional Ambitions
With 35 outlets nationwide and plans to serve markets in Uganda and Tanzania, De Heus positions the Athi River plant as part of a broader push to make Kenya a regional hub for livestock feed production.
Livestock contributes about 12 percent to Kenya’s GDP but continues to face productivity gaps. Analysts say the convergence of stricter standards, localized raw material sourcing and science-based manufacturing signals a structural shift in the sector.
