MOMBASA, Kenya- A shipment of more than 47,000 metric tonnes of American wheat has arrived at the Port of Mombasa, marking a significant boost to U.S.-Kenya trade ties and the launch of a new agricultural innovation programme aimed at transforming Kenya’s livestock sector.
The consignment of hard red winter wheat, transported aboard the MV Liberty Grace, will be sold to local millers, with proceeds channelled into the Food for Progress Livestock Innovation and Feed Transformation (LIFT) project.
Backed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and implemented by Counterpart International, the LIFT programme seeks to improve access to high-quality livestock feed and strengthen Kenya’s animal production systems.
Officials say the initiative is designed to help farmers produce better-quality feed at lower cost, a move expected to increase productivity across Kenya’s livestock value chain.
Speaking during a visit to Bulkstream Limited in Mombasa, U.S. Embassy Kenya Chargé d’Affaires Susan Burns described the shipment as a “big win” for both countries.
“This is a big win for both American and Kenyan farmers,” she said.
“We are excited to see expanded trade, as well as LIFT’s focus on supporting Kenyan livestock producers by developing systems to produce higher quality animal feeds at a lower cost.”
The programme reflects a broader shift by the United States towards market-based development support, moving away from traditional aid models to initiatives that promote sustainable economic growth and self-reliance.
Kenya’s livestock sector remains a critical pillar of the economy, supporting millions of livelihoods, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.
However, challenges such as high feed costs and inconsistent quality have long hindered productivity.
By targeting feed innovation and supply chains, stakeholders hope the LIFT project will unlock new efficiencies and help farmers increase yields, improve incomes, and strengthen food security.
The shipment also underscores deepening trade cooperation between Nairobi and Washington, as both countries seek to expand economic engagement in agriculture, a sector seen as central to Kenya’s long-term growth.
