Nairobi Bets on $5M Multifruit Processing Plant in homabay to Boost Kenya’s Agro-Industry

Homa Bay County is positioning itself as a rising force in Kenya’s agro-processing sector with plans to establish a USD 5 million multifruit processing plant aimed at transforming the region’s fast-growing horticulture industry. The project comes at a time when Kenya’s demand for processed fruit products continues to rise, creating an opportunity to shift from raw commodity sales to value-added production. County officials say the facility will process popular fruits such as mangoes, pineapples, oranges, watermelons, tomatoes, and guavas into juices, concentrates, purées, and jams—helping reduce postharvest losses while stimulating local enterprise.
The investment targets the county’s untapped potential, with Homa Bay currently producing more than 40,000 metric tons of fruit annually—most of which is sold in raw form. By setting up modern extraction lines, sterilization systems, and bulk storage facilities, the new plant is expected to more than double output within two years. Its strategic location near fruit-producing hubs gives it an advantage over established multinational processors and regional competitors that rely on long-distance aggregation. The project is open under both equity investment and public-private partnership models, with the County Government offering incentives to attract investors and support infrastructure development.
County officials note that the economic impact will be far-reaching. The plant is projected to create at least 200 direct jobs and up to 10,000 indirect opportunities for farmers, transporters, suppliers, and youth-led service enterprises. In addition to generating employment, the facility aims to improve nutrition outcomes by increasing access to affordable, locally processed fruit products—helping address the rise in diet-related diseases. A circular economy approach will also be applied, with fruit by-products converted into animal feed and organic fertilizers to support sustainable farming. Farmers across the county are expected to benefit from improved access to certified seeds, mechanization services, and enhanced irrigation, boosting productivity and incomes.
With demand for fruit processing steadily growing among Kenya’s more than 50 million consumers, Homa Bay leaders believe the new plant will firmly position the county as an agro-industrial hub. Stakeholders say that once operational, the project will catalyze broader rural development, strengthen food systems, and solidify the county’s role in the national agricultural value chain.