Netherlands deepens Kenya ties with Ksh.3B feed plant investment in Athi River

The Netherlands has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting agricultural development in Kenya, following a Ksh.3 billion investment in an animal feed manufacturing plant in Athi River by Dutch firm De Heus.

Speaking ahead of King’s Day, the Dutch Ambassador to Kenya, Henk Jan Bakker, said the new facility is expected to strengthen agricultural value chains, support farmers, and enhance food security across the country.

The investment comes amid growing economic ties between the two nations, with the ambassador highlighting Kenya’s strategic position as a regional hub offering access to a market of over 500 million people.

He noted that the Netherlands remains one of the leading destinations for Kenyan exports globally and a top trading partner within Europe, underscoring the importance of the long-standing bilateral relationship.

According to Bakker, Dutch investments continue to play a key role in Kenya’s economic transformation, with more than 150 Dutch companies operating in the country and contributing to job creation and innovation.

Through platforms such as the Netherlands Business Hub Kenya, which brings together nearly 100 companies, the Netherlands is expanding its footprint across multiple sectors of the Kenyan economy.

On regional matters, the ambassador called for a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, noting that the crisis has disrupted diplomatic operations, including the closure of the Dutch embassy in Khartoum.

He welcomed the €1.5 billion humanitarian pledges made during the recent Berlin Conference on Sudan, saying they demonstrate continued global attention toward resolving the crisis.

Bakker expressed optimism that stability will return to Sudan, allowing diplomatic missions to resume operations in Khartoum.

Meanwhile, Kenya’s Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui and Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Sjoerd Sjoerdsma recently held talks at The Hague, where they discussed ways to address regulatory and market access challenges to unlock further economic opportunities between the two countries.

The developments signal a deepening partnership between Kenya and the Netherlands, particularly in agriculture and trade, sectors seen as critical to Kenya’s economic growth.