Athi River, Kenya | 18 February 2026: De Heus Animal Nutrition has officially inaugurated its new state-of-the-art livestock feed manufacturing facility in Athi River, Machakos County, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Africa’s agricultural development and livestock productivity .
The newly commissioned plant, built with an investment of KES 3 billion, approximately USD 23 million, has an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tonnes. The facility is designed to deliver high-quality animal feed solutions to poultry, pig and cattle farmers, supporting improved farm efficiency and sustainable protein production .
Construction of the plant progressed successfully with strong participation from the local workforce, supported by technical expertise from De Heus business units across Africa. The transfer of specialised knowledge has strengthened local capabilities, enabling consistent production standards and reliable supply to farmers .
“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 .
Reinforcing the company’s sustainability and localisation strategy, Co de Heus added, “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.”
The Athi River facility is expected to create 280 direct jobs and forms part of De Heus’ broader regional expansion strategy. The company has recently commissioned a new aquafeed factory in Uganda and started operations at a second livestock feed facility in Ivory Coast, with further growth planned across East Africa .
Wiehan Visagie, General Manager of De Heus Kenya, highlighted the local impact of the investment: “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.”
Founded in 1911 and headquartered in Ede, the Netherlands, De Heus Animal Nutrition operates feed mills in more than 20 countries and supports livestock and aquaculture farmers globally. The company remains focused on delivering high-quality feed, technical expertise and farm advisory services to enhance feed conversion efficiency and advance sustainable livestock management .
The commissioning of the Athi River plant underscores De Heus’ purpose of Nourishing Future Generations and reflects continued confidence in Africa’s growing livestock and dairy potential.
