Sweet revolution: Beekeepers change tack for better harvest

In the arid plains of Kithyoko Sub-county of Kitui County, where the landscape thrives with resilient acacia trees and native shrubs, a quiet revolution in beekeeping is unfolding.

Ruth Mwanzi and Carolyn Ndunge, two dedicated women farmers, are not just beekeepers—they are part of a growing movement transforming lives and landscapes through the art of beekeeping, with a little help from a unique partnership.

Ruth and Carolyn had a deep connection with the land for years but struggled to turn their small ventures into sustainable sources of income.

In an area where water scarcity and harsh climatic conditions make traditional farming difficult, they sought new ways to thrive.

Their solution came as buzzing hives, thanks to a strategic partnership between Bees with Stories and the Beekeepers Hub, run by the visionary Ezekiel Mumo.

Through the initiative, Ruth and Carolyn were trained in modern beekeeping techniques. Carolyn recalls the early days: “I had a few hives but didn’t know how to manage them properly. I was losing bees, and the honey wasn’t enough to sell.”

That changed after training sessions with Beekeepers Hub, where they learnt everything from hive management and bee health to sustainable harvesting methods.

Ruth, who also participated in the training, notes that the partnership offered more than just technical knowledge.

“It wasn’t just about learning; it was about feeling empowered. Beekeeping isn’t easy, but with the right tools and support, it’s become a livelihood for my family.”

Ezekiel Mumo’s Beekeepers Hub has become a lifeline for many small-scale farmers like Ruth and Carolyn.

By partnering with Bees with Stories (BwS), a social enterprise committed to ethical honey production, the hub offers farmers like these women access to a guaranteed market for their honey, ensuring they can make a consistent income.

Ezekiel, whose deep roots in the community make him a trusted leader, explains the core philosophy behind the hub: “It’s not just about producing honey; it’s about creating sustainable livelihoods. We’re teaching farmers to see beekeeping as an essential part of the ecosystem while giving them the tools to succeed.”

Partnerships Paving the Way for Sustainable Beekeeping.

Recognising the challenges smallholder beekeepers face, several companies and organisations have stepped in to offer essential support.

One such notable collaboration is the partnership between Kenyan Originals (KO) and BwS. The two entities are committed to empowering local beekeepers like Ruth and Carolyn by providing them with the tools and resources to succeed in an ever-competitive market.

Kenyan Originals, a local craft beverage company, has established itself as a brand that values local products, including honey, for the production of its craft beverages.

By partnering with (BwS), KO not only ensures a steady supply of high-quality honey but also helps beekeepers access fair markets. This direct connection eliminates the need for intermediaries, allowing farmers to earn better prices for their honey.

“We’ve seen firsthand how these partnerships are transforming lives,” says Alexe Chappatte, CEO of Kenyan Originals.

“By sourcing honey directly from local beekeepers, we’re ensuring they get a fair deal while supporting the growth of sustainable practices.”

BwS, under the leadership of Madvee Mathu, focuses on training smallholder farmers in modern beekeeping techniques.

“Our goal is to create a value chain that supports ethical honey production while empowering farmers to be custodians of the environment,” Mathu explains. Through training programmes, BwS teaches farmers how to manage hives effectively, prevent diseases, and adopt sustainable harvesting methods—all of which lead to the production of high-quality honey that meets international standards.

For beekeepers like Ruth and Carolyn, this partnership has been life-changing. Carolyn now manages several hives, and her honey production has doubled.

Ruth has diversified into making beeswax-based products like candles, which sell at local markets. “We are not just beekeepers anymore; we’re entrepreneurs,” she says proudly.

Challenges for beekeepers

Despite these promising partnerships, beekeepers in Kenya still face several challenges. One major issue is climate change, which affects bees' natural habitats.

Prolonged droughts, increased use of pesticides, and the destruction of forests have had a detrimental impact on bee populations. These environmental changes reduce the availability of flowers, which bees rely on for food, thereby lowering honey production.

Additionally, a general lack of awareness and knowledge regarding modern beekeeping methods exists. While partnerships like the one between KO and BwS are helping to close this gap, many farmers in remote areas remain untrained in the best practices for hive management, disease prevention, and honey extraction.

Another challenge is the market structure. Although partnerships have improved access to formal markets for some beekeepers, many still struggle with selling their honey and related products at profitable rates. The presence of counterfeit and adulterated honey in the market also undermines genuine honey producers, reducing consumer confidence.

As Kenya continues to grapple with environmental challenges, partnerships like those between Kenyan Originals and BwS offer a path toward a more sustainable future.

Through the hard work and resilience of women like Ruth Mwanzi and Carolyn Ndunge, and the collective vision of leaders like Ezekiel Mumo, Alexe Chappatte, and Madvee Mathu, the future of beekeeping in Kenya looks brighter than ever.

These partnerships are not only helping protect the bees but are also providing a sustainable source of income and hope for rural communities across the country.

As Ruth aptly sums it up: “When the bees thrive, we thrive too.”