By Francis Ngungu
In a move to transform rural incomes and revive Kenya’s beekeeping sector, Savannah Honey has announced a landmark initiative to equip 7,000 farmers with modern beehives and long-term contracts to produce honey and other high-value bee products. The project, launched last week as a subsidized national beekeeping promotion programme, is already delivering hives to new farmers within 24 hours of registration, offering an opportunity to generate income from idle land with minimal labour and high returns.
“Our goal is to help farmers realize the enormous potential of beekeeping,” said Kyalo Mutua, CEO of Savannah Honey. “A single kilogramme of honey currently sells at Sh800, bee pollen at Sh6,800, and propolis at Sh1,300. Bee venom is the most valuable of all—one gram fetches Sh8,000. These products offer higher returns than almost any other agricultural venture.”
Kenya’s climate, rich in flowering trees and plants, makes it ideal for beekeeping, but more than 80% of the honey consumed in the country is imported, despite the country’s abundance of unused land. Savannah Honey, one of Africa’s leading beekeeping companies, is determined to reverse this trend by empowering local farmers to tap into the lucrative honey industry.
Each participating farmer will receive a Langstroth hive at a subsidised price of Sh4,800, down from the regular Sh5,500. The hives are installed by Savannah’s team of professional apiarists, who also introduce the bee colonies, conduct monthly checkups, and provide ongoing training in hive management, colony division, strengthening, and requeening—all free of charge. If any issues arise, such as hive leakage or parasite infestation, farmers can call on the apiarists for immediate support, often within 24 hours thanks to the company’s nationwide network of experts.
Bees typically begin producing honey and other products six months after the colony is introduced, with subsequent harvests occurring every 3 to 4 months. On average, a single hive can produce between 10 to 15 kilograms of honey per season, with the potential for more in ideal conditions. In addition to honey, bees produce valuable byproducts like bee pollen, wax, propolis, and venom, all of which are in high demand in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries.
Under Savannah Honey’s five-year contract, farmers remain in control of their harvest and are guaranteed a market for their products, which the company helps to market and sell. Payment is made by M-Pesa, bank transfer, or cash.
For many small-scale farmers, beekeeping offers a rich side hustle. Unlike traditional farming, it requires minimal land—just a small plot can host multiple hives—and little labour, making it ideal for households with limited resources. Bees are also environmentally beneficial, serving as crucial pollinators for crops such as avocados, coffee, and passion fruit. This boosts both food security and biodiversity.
“Honey is more than just a sweetener—it’s a superfood and natural medicine,” said Mutua. “It contains essential vitamins, minerals, and enzymes. It’s used to treat coughs, digestive issues, high blood pressure, diabetes, and ulcers. Most of our honey is produced from trees with medicinal properties, so the health benefits are immense.”
Beyond income generation, Savannah’s campaign aims to raise awareness about the untapped potential of apiculture. Many rural farmers are unaware of the profitability of beekeeping or lack the technical knowledge to get started, said Mutua. “We’re changing that. We’re not just providing hives; we’re building a nationwide movement to make beekeeping accessible, profitable, and sustainable.”
The company is targeting 210,000 tonnes of honey production this year—a goal that, if achieved, could significantly reduce Kenya’s reliance on imported honey and boost the incomes of thousands of households.
Farmers can join the programme at any time of the year by signing a five-year contract with Savannah Honey. “It’s first come, first served,” said Mutua. “We’re ready to serve farmers across the country, from the moment they express interest.”
For more information or to enroll in the programme, farmers can contact Kyalo Mutua directly at 0721 965 337.