Dutch firm De Heus opens US$23M animal feed plant in Kenya

KENYA – The Dutch animal nutrition company De Heus has completed a US$23.2 million animal feed manufacturing plant in Athi River, Machakos County, marking a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to Kenya’s agricultural sector and regional development.

With a total investment of KES 3 billion (about US$23.2 million), De Heus has completed nearly 2 years of construction, which began in April 2024. The facility has an estimated annual animal feed production capacity of 240,000 tonnes, which is expected to increase by 20,000 tonnes in a later phase.

The construction of this plant marks De Heus’ second livestock feed factory in East Africa and third in Africa, underscoring its strategy to strengthen the feed sector through innovation, job creation, and regional collaboration.

Shopping locally

The investment comes as Kenya faces a feed deficit of roughly 33 million tonnes each year, which traders fill through imports.

De Heus plans to replace part of that imported volume by supplying the domestic market from its new plant. The company expects local production to improve feed availability and support farm output, particularly in poultry, Kenya’s largest livestock segment.

Wiehan Visagie, General Manager of De Heus Kenya, noted that the factory represents more than infrastructure, but a place where farmers and citizens can build a trusted food system using local raw materials

This is parallel to the government’s Linking Feed Security to National Reform initiative, in collaboration with the private sector, which is using government land for the structured commercial production of yellow maize and soybeans, key ingredients in feed manufacturing.

De Heus will source key raw materials, such as maize and soybeans, from Kenyan farmers, thereby creating a steady market for local growers.

Co de Heus, Chairman of the Board of De Heus Animal Nutrition, reinforced the company’s dedication to sustainable, locally driven growth.

“Our mission is to empower local farmers and support communities by combining global expertise with a deep understanding of local needs. Through this new factory, we are enabling Kenyan farmers to achieve higher productivity, sustainability, and ultimately, greater prosperity.”

In addition to sourcing raw materials locally, the company expects the plant to generate positive impacts through employment opportunities and direct support for farmers.

“The opening of this facility creates 280 new direct jobs and reinforces our ambition to become Kenya’s leading animal nutrition supplier,” said Wiehan Visagie.

Strengthening the livestock sector

Kenya’s livestock sector contributes about 42 per cent to agricultural GDP, yet the country still imports a large share of its animal feed. The Ministry of Agriculture estimates annual feed demand at about 55 million tonnes, while local producers supply less than half of that volume.

Wiehan Visagie said the Athi River plant will produce feed for poultry, pigs, ruminants, and aquaculture.

“This unit aims to build reliable systems for farmers. By manufacturing locally, we address inconsistent quality and heavy reliance on imports, while helping producers improve productivity and profitability,” he said.

The collaboration between De Hues and the local workforce will transfer specialised skills to the Kenyan team, enabling the reliable production of high-quality animal feed for poultry, pig, and cattle farmers.

Gracing the occasion was the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe, who framed the investment as a broader structural reform in Kenya’s livestock economy.

“Kenya has set a clear target to double annual milk production from 5.2 billion litres to 10 billion litres, calling for a lot of feeding. At the same time, the country is positioning itself to become a net exporter of live animals and meat.” Kagwe said.

He added that Kenya will now focus on increasing productivity per animal rather than expanding herd numbers.

The ministry said the construction of 50 dams is expected to expand irrigation and reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture. Supporting this sentiment, the Machakos County governor, Wavinya Ndeti, noted that the plant will boost local agro-industrial development and youth empowerment

The commissioning brought together industry leaders, the government, the Dutch government, and farmers.

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