In a move aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods and climate-smart agriculture, the County Government of Uasin Gishu, through the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action Program (FLLoCA), has distributed 170 modern beehives and 17 complete honey harvesting kits to farmers in Ainabkoi Sub-County with women groups among the biggest beneficiaries.
The initiative, which included intensive training by livestock officers specializing in apiculture, equips women and other farmers with practical skills to make beekeeping a profitable venture.
Speaking during the distribution, Mercy Kemboi, the Climate Change Unit Officer in charge of Ainabkoi, underscored the suitability of beekeeping for women farmers.
“Bee farming can be done alongside other agricultural activities. Once set up, the bees largely take care of themselves, making it a perfect income source for women balancing farming with other household responsibilities,” said Ms. Kemboi.
Her remarks were reinforced by Climate Change Unit Officer, Eng. Christopher Mbevi, who highlighted the county’s broader beekeeping initiative across all sub-counties.
“We are encouraging farmers to form beekeepers’ cooperatives to enable large-scale production, proper packaging, branding and selling to major supermarkets,” said Eng. Mbevi.
The Techgaa Women Group, one of the recipients, expressed optimism about the economic transformation the project will bring. Chairlady Rosa Ngetich noted that the initiative has opened a new chapter for their members, adding that plans are already underway to professionalize their honey enterprise.
“We want to package and brand our honey professionally and sell it not just in Uasin Gishu, but across the country and beyond,” she affirmed.
With honey demand rising locally and internationally, Ainabkoi’s farmers, especially women-led groups, are now buzzing with excitement, ready to turn sweet golden drops into sustainable livelihoods.
By Fredrick Maritim
