De Heus Animal Nutrition has commissioned a new feed mill in Athi River, Kenya, strengthening its East African presence. The investment supports local farmers, job creation, and sustainable growth across the regional livestock sector.
De Heus Animal Nutrition has officially opened a state-of-the-art animal feed production facility in Athi River, Machakos County, marking a major milestone in its long-term commitment to Kenya’s agricultural sector and regional development. The new plant has an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tons and represents a total investment of KES 3 billion (USD 23 million).
Construction of the facility was completed successfully through strong collaboration with the local workforce, supported by technical expertise from De Heus business units across Africa. The company stated that the transfer of specialised skills to the Kenyan team enables the consistent production of high-quality animal feed for poultry, pig, and cattle farmers.
De Heus continues to demonstrate its commitment to growth across Africa, marked by the recent commissioning of a new aquafeed factory in Uganda, the start-up of a second livestock feed factory in the Ivory Coast, and plans for further expansion across East Africa. The Athi River factory underscores De Heus’s strategy to support the agricultural sector through innovation, job creation, and regional collaboration.
“This investment demonstrates our confidence in the Kenyan economy and the agricultural sector’s potential. This factory opening signals a new era for our farmers, providing access to high-quality feed and technologies that will drive food security and economic growth,” said Co de Heus, Chairman of the Board of De Heus Animal Nutrition. He reinforced De Heus’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.”
Wiehan Visagie, General Manager of De Heus Kenya, emphasized the positive impact on employment and direct farmer support: “The opening of this facility creates 280 new direct jobs and reinforces our ambition to become Kenya’s leading animal nutrition supplier. With 35 outlets nationwide and a dedicated team providing direct support to farmers, we are committed to improving productivity and efficiency for our customers while strengthening the overall competitiveness of the livestock industry in the markets where we operate.”
De Heus Animal Nutrition continues to advance sustainable agriculture and livestock production across the region through targeted investments, local partnerships, and farmer-focused innovation.
