Global firm De Heus sets up Ksh.3 billion animal feed factory in Athi River

In one of the largest private-sector investments in Kenya’s livestock and agribusiness sector,  the new factory is expected to strengthen local feed supply, improve quality and consistency, create jobs, and support national efforts toward food security and industrial growth.

Wiehan Visagie, Managing Director of De Heus Kenya, said the facility reflects a long-term commitment to Kenya’s agricultural transformation.

“This factory is about building reliable systems for farmers,” said Mr Visagie. “By manufacturing feed locally, we are addressing long-standing challenges such as inconsistent quality and dependence on imports, while supporting farmers to improve productivity and profitability.”

Founded in 1911 in the Netherlands, De Heus Animal Nutrition operates more than 86 production facilities worldwide and focuses on animal nutrition. 

The Athi River plant will have an annual production capacity of 200,000 metric tonnes, with a future expandable capacity to 260,000 Metric tonnes positioning it among the largest feed mills in East Africa. 

It will produce a wide range of animal nutrition products, including compound feeds, concentrates, premixes, and specialty feeds for poultry, pigs, ruminants, and aquaculture.

Kenya’s livestock sector contributes an estimated 12 percent of national GDP and supports millions of livelihoods, yet productivity remains below potential. 

Feed costs account for up to 70 percent of total livestock production expenses, making feed quality and availability a critical determinant of farm performance.

By producing feed locally, De Heus Kenya aims to shorten supply chains, improve traceability, and tailor nutrition to Kenyan farming systems, helping farmers achieve more consistent results while reducing exposure to global supply disruptions.

The Athi River facility is expected to create approximately 250 direct jobs and up to 1,000 indirect jobs across transport, logistics, packaging, distribution, and raw material supply chains. 

The company also plans to source key raw materials, including maize and soybeans, from Kenyan farmers, supporting local grain markets and rural incomes.

In addition to manufacturing, De Heus Kenya provides technical advisory services to farmers, focusing on feed utilization, ration formulation, and animal nutrition management. These services are aimed at helping farmers translate feed quality into measurable productivity gains.

The company combines global research with local manufacturing, testing, and farmer support to strengthen livestock value chains.

The launch ceremony will be attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, and the Principal Secretary for Industry, Juma Mukhwana, alongside other senior government officials, industry stakeholders, farmers, and development partners.