A section of people who took part in World Bee Day celebrations at Kanyangi in Kitui
Rural sub-county on Wednesday, participating in a procession/Musembi Nzengu
Kitui County Chief Officer Jonathan Kyambi speaking during the Word Bee Day celebration at Kanyangi in Kitui Rural sub county on Wednesday/Musembi Nzengu.Kitui residents have been urged to revive beekeeping to boost their incomes.
County chief officer for Livestock and Apiculture Jonathan Kyambi said the practice has been largely neglected despite its strong economic and cultural value.
He said many communities in Kitui have abandoned a tradition passed down from their forefathers, who relied on honey for food, medicine and income.
“We are letting down our ancestors who depended on beekeeping not just for income, but also for food and medicine,” Kyambi said.
He was speaking on Wednesday at Kanyangi chief’s camp in Kitui Rural subcounty during World Bee Day celebrations organised by the county government and partners including Adra Kenya.
Kyambi said bees are essential for pollination and food production, and their decline could threaten food security.
“Bees are key pollinators. Without them, food production would drop and we risk hunger,” he said.
He called on farmers to protect bees by avoiding harmful chemicals and instead use organic alternatives such as neem, pepper and tobacco-based pesticides.
Kyambi said bees have been recognised by the United Nations as livestock because of their importance in food production, income generation and environmental balance.
He said Kenya is not producing enough honey to meet demand. The country produces about 20 metric tonnes annually against a demand of 45 metric tonnes, despite having the capacity to produce up to 100 metric tonnes.
“This gap shows we are not exploiting our potential. Beekeeping can greatly improve household incomes and the economy if fully exploited,” he said.
The chief officer urged communities to drop cultural practices that exclude women from beekeeping activities, saying modern methods make the practice safe and inclusive.
