By Milliam Murigi
To ensure that only quality and nutritious livestock feeds are sold in the Kenyan market, the government will strengthen animal feed regulations and roll out a national feed quality index.
Speaking during the launch of the De Heus animal feed manufacturing plant in Athi River, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary, Mutahi Kagwe, said that enforcement measures will target substandard and diluted feeds that undermine productivity and farmers’ profits.
“Over-diluted feed and substandard formulations designed to maximize profits at the expense of productivity will not be tolerated. Farmers must get value for their money,” he said.
Kagwe revealed that some farmers currently pay thousands of shillings for feed that contains only a fraction of the required nutrients, ultimately raising production costs instead of lowering them
According to him, the reforms aim to help Kenya double annual milk production from 5.2 billion litres to 10 billion litres while positioning the country as a net exporter of live animals and meat.
“Productivity gains will come not from increasing herd sizes but from improving efficiency through better nutrition, genetics, animal health and, most critically, quality feed,” he said.
Besides, the government will open public land for the commercial production of feed raw materials as part of sweeping reforms to modernize the livestock sector.
Under this, the government plans structured leasing of public land for large-scale cultivation of yellow maize and soya beans, key feed ingredients, while integrating smallholder farmers through contract farming arrangements.
Kagwe said the country is also working to localize feed production to reduce reliance on imports and shield farmers from price volatility. Planned strategic feed reserves will also cushion livestock producers during drought, stabilize costs and prevent animal losses in dry seasons.
“The government will additionally introduce quality-based milk pricing so farmers delivering higher butterfat, protein levels and hygiene standards earn more, shifting incentives from volume to value.”
De Heus animal feed manufacturing facilities are worth Kshs. 3 billion (US$ 2.3 million) investment and one of the largest on the African continent. It integrates laboratory testing of raw materials, standardized recipe formulation, automated production systems, and batch-to-batch verification to ensure consistency.
Unlike integrated agribusiness models, De Heus focuses exclusively on animal nutrition, positioning farmers as independent clients supported through knowledge transfer and technical services
“Our investment philosophy is not merely about building factories, but about building capabilities,” said Co de Heus, Chairman of the Board. “By working closely with farmers and local partners, we share technical expertise, management insights and practical solutions, helping to unlock the full potential of Kenyan agriculture.”
He noted that De Heus manufacturing plant currently produces approximately 16 million tons of feed annually across more than 100 factories globally, bringing established quality control systems and technical expertise to the Kenyan market.
Managing Director of De Heus Kenya, Wiehan Visagie, said the decision to build locally was driven by persistent industry gaps in feed reliability and farmer confidence, especially those dealing with cattle, poultry and pigs.
“For too long, feed has felt like a gamble for many farmers,” he said. “Our commitment is to deliver consistent, batch-to-batch nutrition backed by laboratory testing and strict quality controls. But feed alone is not enough. We pair quality production with technical advisory services, nutrition planning, and on-farm support because real productivity happens when good feed meets good knowledge.”
Visagie added that the factory represents more than infrastructure. “This is about rebuilding trust. Trust that farmers can depend on the quality of what they are buying, and trust that Kenya can build its own food systems using local raw materials.”
The commissioning comes at a time when Kenya’s feed industry faces increased scrutiny. Farmers have raised concerns over inconsistent feed formulations, fluctuating performance from batch to batch, and over-diluted products that compromise productivity. Feed accounts for up to 60–70 percent of livestock production costs, making quality and consistency critical to farm profitability.
