Brookside Dairy Limited is Kenya’s largest milk processor and one of the most prominent businesses linked to the Kenyatta family.
The business has become a part of the family’s commercial empire and identity as it continues to expand its presence across East Africa.
From Small Dairy Firm to Market Leader
Brookside was established in 1993 in Ruiru, Kiambu County. It started as a small dairy operation with a processing capacity of about 5,000 litres of milk per day.
The company was founded by members of the Kenyatta family, with Muhoho Kenyatta playing a central role in building and expanding the business in its early years.
Its growth came at a time when Kenya’s dairy sector was undergoing major changes.
During the 1990s, the country adopted economic liberalization policies, leading to the decline of state-controlled dairy processors.
Brookside expanded its operations, strengthened its supply chain, and introduced new products such as flavored yogurt, helping it reach a wider range of consumers.
As competition increased, the company adopted an aggressive expansion strategy to increase processing capacity and expand its market presence.
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Brookside Dairy Expansion, Acquisitions and Regional Growth
The company invested in modern processing facilities and built a wide distribution network, helping its products reach major towns and urban centres across Kenya.
Brookside has also grown through acquisitions, taking over firms such as Ilara Dairy, Molo Milk, and Delamere Yoghurt, strengthening its position in the market.
These acquisitions increased its processing capacity while also allowing it to expand its product range and grow its brand presence.
The company later expanded beyond Kenya into Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, transforming from a local processor into a regional dairy player.
This expansion enabled the establishment of secure milk supply chains and the tapping into new consumer markets across East Africa and beyond.
Brookside is a dominant force in the sector, processing over one million litres of milk daily and controlling a significant share of Kenya’s formal dairy market.
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Ownership and Control Structure
The Kenyatta family holds a majority stake of about 50 percent, giving it decisive influence over the company’s direction and long-term strategy.
Control is exercised largely through Muhoho Kenyatta, who serves as Executive Chairman and has remained the central figure in the company’s expansion and decision-making.
A major shift in the ownership structure came in July 2014, when French multinational Danone acquired a 40 percent stake in Brookside. The deal, whose value was not officially disclosed, marked a significant partnership that brought in global dairy expertise, capital investment, and access to international best practices.
Earlier, in 2009, Dubai-based private equity firm Abraaj Capital invested approximately US$18.7 million in the company, taking a minority stake.
This investment supported Brookside’s regional expansion and acquisition strategy, though Abraaj’s involvement has since evolved.
Despite these external investments, operational control has remained with the Kenyatta family, with key decisions on management and expansion continuing to be led locally.
Brookside is part of a network of businesses linked to the Kenyatta family, rather than operating in isolation.
These businesses are managed through holding and investment structures, including entities such as Enke Investments, which are associated with the family’s broader commercial interests.
Links to the Kenyatta Family Business Empire
Brookside is seen as the main agricultural business within the Kenyatta family’s business interests, playing a key role in Kenya’s food production sector.
The family’s investments extend beyond dairy, encompassing banking, hospitality, media, and large-scale land ownership, making them one of the country’s most prominent business families.
In banking, the family is linked to NCBA Group, one of Kenya’s largest financial institutions, where Muhoho Kenyatta holds a significant stake.
Their hospitality investments include Heritage Hotels, while their media interests are held through Mediamax Network Limited, which operates television, radio, and print platforms.
These businesses are supported by extensive land holdings and other ventures managed through family-linked investment entities.
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