Bee Farming

Potential and Demand

Modern beekeeping in Kenya started towards the end of 1960s and has since become an important enterprise in the livestock sub-sector. Kenya’s potential for apiculture development is estimated at over 100,000 tonnes of honey and 10,000 tonnes of beeswax per annum. At the moment only about one fifth of this potential is being exploited. 80% of Kenya consists of arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) which have high potential in production of honey and apicultural activity is a major occupation in these areas due to the abundance of bee flora. Non ASAL regions also practice beekeeping. 80% of the honey comes from the traditional log hive. The local demand for honey is picking up gradually. However the International demand is limitless. Kenya is now licensed to export honey to the European Union.

Suppliers of Beekeeping Equipment

  • National beekeeping Station, Nairobi
  • Honey Care Africa, Nairobi
  • Gatanza Enterprises, Nairobi
  • Baraka Agricultural College, Molo
  • Ngandu Beekeeping Workshop, Thika
  • Manor House Agricultural Centre, Kitale
  • Bee Honey, Nyanyuki
  • Christian Intermediate Training Centre, Kapsabet
  • Kerio Valley Development Authority, Eldoret
  • ETANG, Eldoret

Honey Packers and Processors

  • Honey Care Africa, Nairobi
  • Gantanza Enterprises, Nairobi
  • Makambu Investment, Nairobi
  • Tomylne Products, Nairobi
  • Emma Food Processors, Nairobi
  • Ruai Beekeeping Cooperative Society, Naro Moru
  • Baraka Beekeeping Development Unit, Molo
  • Wedakin Honey, Nairobi
  • National Beekeeping Station, Nairobi
  • Mbeere Honey Products, Embu
  • Green Forest, Nairobi

Bee Species

In Kenya the most important species is called the honeybee or Apis mellifera.

Within this species there are a number of races of bees in Kenya which have their own particular characteristics;

1. Apis mellifera yemenitica (formallyA. m. nubica): This is the smallest race in Africa. It has the most slender abdomen and the largest yellow abdominal color band of all African races. It most withstands and survives drought conditions by excessive migration. It is mostly found in the northern parts of Kenya.

2. Apis mellifera scutellata: The bee is highly aggressive and has a great tendency to reproduce and migrate. It is found in plains and their high reproductive rate is attributed to massive flowering, which occurs in the plains just before the rains.

3. Apis mellifera littorea: The bee inhabits the low lands of the Kenya Coast. It does not migrate as much as scutellata. It has a tendency to rear brood throughout the year due to availability of forage along the coast.

4. Apis mellifera monticola: This bee is called the mountain bee. The bee inhabits places where the sun is frequently obscured by clouds and mist and ground frosts at night. It is the largest bee in Africa. It has a tendency to reduce brood rearing at the first sign of forage decline and may not migrate. It is less productive and less vicious. This race is found in Mt. Meru and Mt. Elgon.

Beehives

The three major types of hives in Kenya are:-

• Log hives (traditional) hives

• The Kenya Top Bar Hive (KTBH)

• Langstroth hives.

 

Kenya Honey Council

Kenya Honey Council is a private non-profit Intermediary Organization formed by a broad representation of the Stakeholders to represent and coordinate the Kenya Apiculture Sector. It was initially formed in 2003 and was finally registered on 10th November, 2005 as a Private Company Limited by Guarantee and issued with a Certificate of Incorporation. The objective of the Kenya Honey Council is the development of the Kenyan beekeeping industry.

Challenges of Bee Farming

  • Absence of linkages between bee farmers (producers) and processors (markets).
  • Lack of coordination between stakeholders and various service providers.
  • Low consumption of honey in the country due to inadequate promotion of the utilization of honey
  • Inadequate supply of honey leading to unaffordable consumer prices for local honey.
  • Marketing challenges due to poor marketing infrastructure, inadequate marketing information, poor market organization and unethical marketing practices.
  • Adulterated or fake honey is a problem which still exists although largely diminished.
  • Crystallization of honey due to general lack of consumer awareness.
  • Lack of information on the bee sector.
  • Environmental degradation leading to lack of enough floral sources.
  • Lack of diversification to other bee products like beeswax, propolis, pollen, bee venom and royal jelly