Machakos County has rolled out a major initiative to boost honey production by distributing modern beehives and harvesting gear to local farmers.
The program is part of a broader effort to empower residents to embrace beekeeping as a sustainable source of income while strengthening agribusiness opportunities in the semi-arid region.
Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti said the county administration is committed to supporting farmers through technology, training and market access.
“By promoting honey production through the distribution of modern beehives and harvesting gear, we are empowering farmers across Machakos County to embrace honey farming as a sustainable source of income,” she said, adding that the county government aims to position Machakos as a leading honey producer in Kenya.
Under the program, farmers are receiving modern Langstroth beehives, protective clothing, smokers and honey extractors, along with training on modern apiculture techniques. The initiative also covers value addition training to help farmers package and brand their honey for better market competitiveness.
Local farmer Jacob Lumumba Kitheka expressed his gratitude for the initiative, saying it has completely changed the way they approach honey farming.
“Back in the days, we used to harvest honey using the old traditional beehives, which was time-consuming and often resulted in losses.Right now, thanks to the county’s support, we have modern machines for honey harvesting and modern beehives, which make the work easier and the yields much better,” Kitheka said.
Kitheka further added that the initiative has made honey harvesting safer and more efficient.
“Today, I can even harvest honey during the day because we have been given proper honey harvesting clothes. The machines also help us collect clean, high-quality honey that is exactly what the market needs,” he said.
Agriculture experts say honey farming has become one of the most promising agribusiness ventures for semi-arid areas like Machakos, which are often affected by unpredictable rainfall and low crop yields. Apiculture does not compete with food crops for land and water resources, making it an ideal supplementary income activity for rural households.
The county government is also working with cooperatives and agribusiness partners to create aggregation and marketing systems, enabling farmers to sell their honey collectively and negotiate better prices. This is expected to reduce post-harvest losses, stabilize incomes and link farmers with bulk buyers and supermarkets.
The initiative is also expected to benefit youth and women’s groups in the county, many of whom are being encouraged to join beekeeping cooperatives. County officials say this will create new jobs, promote entrepreneurship and help address rural unemployment.
Kenya’s honey market is estimated to be worth billions of shillings annually, with rising demand driven by health-conscious consumers and the growing popularity of natural sweeteners. However, domestic production has struggled to keep up, forcing the country to import honey to meet demand. Machakos County hopes its program will close this gap and turn the county into a net supplier of quality, branded honey.
Governor Ndeti said the initiative reflects her administration’s vision to transform agriculture into a modern, commercial and competitive sector.
“Our farmers deserve to benefit from value chains that put money in their pockets…Honey farming is one of the ways we are building resilience against climate change and creating wealth for our people,” she said.
With modern equipment, training and market support, Machakos farmers are optimistic that the county’s investment in apiculture will open a new chapter for rural livelihoods and contribute to Kenya’s food and nutrition security.
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