New Factory Invests in Local Workforce, Regional Expansion, and Farmer Empowerment
Athi River, Kenya, February 18, 2026. De Heus Animal Nutrition is proud to announce the official opening of its state-of-the-art animal feed production plant in Athi River, Machakos County. With an annual production capacity of 240,000 metric tons and a total investment of KES 3 billion (USD 23 million), the new facility marks a significant milestone in the company’s commitment to Kenya’s agricultural sector and regional development.
Construction of the plant has progressed successfully, leveraging the expertise of the local workforce and drawing on knowledge from De Heus business units across Africa. The transfer of specialised skills to the Kenyan team enables the reliable production of high-quality animal feed, serving 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.”
Co de Heus, chairman of the Board of De Heus Animal Nutrition, 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 remains dedicated to powering progress in sustainable agriculture and livestock management throughout the region.
For more information, please visit www.deheus.co.ke or www.deheus.com.
