KENYA: CS Kagwe Commissions KES 3 Billion De Heus Feed Plant To Boost Livestock Productivity and Exports

By Moses Punyuah, Nairobi 

The Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, has commissioned a KES 3 billion animal feed manufacturing plant by De Heus Kenya in Athi River, in a move aimed at transforming Kenya’s livestock sector and strengthening export competitiveness.

Speaking during the commissioning, Kagwe said the government is shifting focus from increasing herd numbers to improving productivity per animal.

“Today is not just about commissioning a factory. It is about transforming Kenya’s livestock economy. We will double milk production from 5.2 billion litres to 10 billion litres by increasing productivity per cow, not by increasing the number of cows,” said Kagwe.

He added that quality animal feed remains central to Kenya’s ambition of becoming a net exporter of livestock products, noting that the government will introduce a feed quality index to curb substandard formulations in the market.

The Athi River facility, the largest pellet-making feed mill in the region, has an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tonnes and is expected to create over 1,200 direct and indirect jobs.

The plant is equipped with modern laboratory facilities for advanced quality testing and will serve between 60,000 and 80,000 farmers annually across Kenya and the region.

Kagwe said the government is also investing in irrigation, structured feed reserves, and commercialization of public land to stabilize feed supply and cushion farmers against climate shocks.

The commissioning marks a significant step in Kenya’s drive to modernize livestock farming, enhance food security, and expand agric

ultural exports.