Beekeeping in Kenya:How to start the most profitable Business
Kelvin Wairimu 
Beekeeping in Kenya is one of the most profitable farming ventures with a relatively low startup cost.
In this article, we will outline the steps to successfully start beekeeping in Kenya, including the best locations, types of beehives, and the process of setting them up.
Why Beekeeping in Kenya?
Beekeeping thrives in both highland and arid regions. Honey from dry areas in Kenya is often sweeter and has better nutritional quality than that from highland regions.
Read Also: Insecticide Poisoning: The Silent Killer of Bees
Getting Started with Beekeeping in Kenya
Bees are significantly influenced by flowering patterns and seasons. Therefore, when selecting an ideal location for your apiary, consider a site with diverse flowering plants. Avoid areas with heavy pesticide use, as chemicals can harm bee colonies.
The apiary site should have good exposure to morning sunlight and afternoon shade while being protected from strong winds and weeds. Additionally, bees need a clean water source to thrive. If there isn’t a natural water source nearby, farmers should provide water consistently.
Finally, ensure that your apiary is at least 100 meters away from busy roads and neighbours to prevent conflicts.
Best Beehives in Kenya
There are three major types of beehives commonly used in Kenya:
Langstroth Hive:
This is a modular, frame-based hive with removable frames for honey and brood. It is suitable for commercial beekeeping, yielding high amounts of honey (15-30 kg per hive).
However, it is more expensive, with each beehive costing between KSh 8,000 and KSh 10,000.
Kenyan Top-Bar Hive (KTBH):
This is a rectangular wooden hive with removable top bars for honeycomb attachment. It is affordable (costing between KSh 3,000 and KSh 5,000), easy to inspect, and allows for sustainable harvesting without destroying combs.
The only disadvantage is that it requires additional management skills.
Read Also: “Gold” out of raw honey, making money in apiculture
Kenyan Traditional Log Hive:
This involves using hollowed-out logs or woven baskets, often suspended in trees. While these are cheap to make, they typically hold less honey and can be easily invaded by pests.
How to Set Up Beehives
- Clear the apiary site of weeds.
- Elevate hives 0.5-1 meter off the ground using stands to protect them from moisture and predators. For traditional hives, suspend them securely in trees or on poles to ensure stability.
- For KTBH or Langstroth hives, place them on level stands and secure them against wind or animals.
- Apply grease or oil around the stand legs to deter ants.
- Rub beeswax or place a mixture of sugar syrup and water inside the hive to attract bees.
- Avoid using strong-smelling substances that might repel bees.
- If using a purchased bee colony, transfer the bees into the hive during the evening to minimise stress. Make sure the queen is healthy and the colony is active before closing the hive.
- Check hives every 2-4 weeks to monitor bee health, comb development, and pest presence.
- Keep the area around the hive clean to prevent attracting predators like honey badgers.
How to Know When Honey is Ready for Harvest
Harvesting honey at the right time ensures quality and sustainability. Here’s how to determine if it’s ready:
- Observe Comb Capping: Honey is ready for harvest when the bees cap the honeycomb cells with wax, indicating that the honey is fully ripened (with a moisture content below 20%). Capped honey appears as a white or light yellow wax covering over the comb.
- Timing: Harvest during the dry season or after peak flowering periods (e.g., after acacia or sunflower blooms) when nectar flow is high. In Kenya, key harvesting seasons are often February-March and August-September, depending on the region.
- Hive Inspection: Open the hive during early morning or late evening when bees are less active. Use a smoker to calm the bees and check for capped honeycombs in the honey super (for Langstroth hives) or top bars (for KTBH). Avoid harvesting brood combs (where larvae are raised) to protect the colony.
- Quantity Check: Ensure the hive has enough honey reserves (at least 5-10 kg) for the bees to survive after harvesting. Harvest only 50-70% of the honey to sustain the colony.
Harvesting Process
- Gently brush bees off the combs using a bee brush.
- For KTBH or Langstroth hives, remove the capped combs and extract honey using a manual or centrifugal extractor.
- For traditional hives, cut out capped combs and strain honey through a clean cloth or sieve.
- Store honey in clean, airtight containers to maintain quality.
By following these guidelines, you can start a successful and profitable beekeeping venture in Kenya.
Cost & Profit Estimate (per Hive, in KES) of Beekeeping in Kenya
| Item | Cost Estimate |
|---|---|
| Langstroth hive | 4,500 – 6,500 |
| Bee suit | 3,000 – 5,000 |
| Bee colony | 5,000 – 10,000 |
| Other tools | 2,000 – 3,000 |
| Total Setup | ~15,000 – 25,000 |
| Annual Honey Yield | 10–15 kg/hive |
| Market Price (per kg) | KES 800 – 1,200 |
| Annual Revenue | ~KES 10,000 – 18,000/hive |
About Post Author
