FAO staff pose for a group photo with one of the youth groups engaged in honey value cahin

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today joined other stakeholders to mark the World Bee Day celebrations in Kajiado. The well attended event brought together various stakeholders in the honey value chain. The celebrations kicked off with a procession through Kajiado town and tour of exhibitions by various value chain actors at Kajiado Stadium.

The event was planned by the Apiculture Platform in collaboration with FAO and the County Government of Kajiado and other stakeholders in the bee value chain. While the day is christened World Bee Day it also recognizes the value of other pollinators like Butterflies, birds, bats and other insects that equally play a critical role in agricultural production. Bees and other pollinators play a critical role in the wellbeing of the ecosystem by ensuring that 75 percent of the world’s food crops and 95 percent of world wild flowering plant species reproduce and feed humanity.

The event was attended by the Assistant FAO Kenya Representative Programmes Hamisi Williams, Kajiado County Governor Hon. Joseph Lenku, the Principal Secretary the State Department of Livestock Development Hon. Jonathan Mueke. The event also attracted Beekeepers, development partners, financial institutions, cooperatives, equipment manufacturer, school students, research institutions and policy experts, bee keeping associations and Traders.

FAO’s stand had several groups that have been supported in the past or currently to engage in bee keeping. This year’s theme is - “Bee engage with youth”; it aims at creating awareness especially among the youth to take up bee keeping while engaging in environmentally friendly agricultural practices that do not harm the bee and other pollinators.

Noting the important role played by bees, Hamisi informed the participants that the economic value of pollination is about 20 times that of honey which most people associate bees with. He added that FAO is concerned about the health of this important insect as its population continues to decline due to effects of climate change, intensive agriculture, pesticide use and biodiversity loss. This is happening at a time when the globe is working to increase agricultural production through crops that rely on pollination for their reproduction. “Therefore, this day provides an opportunity for all of us – whether we work for governments, private sector, civil society or communities – to promote actions that will protect and enhance pollinators and their ecosystems, improve their abundance and diversity.” Said Hamisi.

FAO is working with the national and county governments, NGOs, and community organizations to protect bees and other pollinators. This has been through supporting capacity development of youth groups, technical staff and local communities on bee keeping systems, empowerment of local communities to take an active role in sustainable management of forests and natural environments.

“As a county we are promoting bee keeping as a climate smart technology which farmers can use to diversify and increase their incomes.” Said Governor Lenku.   The Governor later presided over the launch of Kajiado Bee Keeping Strategy and certification of the Kajiado Bee Keeping Cooperative. 

The governor visited and congratulated the FAO Supported groups exhibiting in the event and got a taste of honey from Laikipia Livestock Marketing Cooperative, Dupoto Beekeepers, Kirisia Community Forest Association, and Migori Community Group.

Hon. Jonathan Mueke the guest of honor while acknowledging great strides covered by government in apiculture development as one of the value chains with a great contribution to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) through increased incomes especially for the youth, called on the various stakeholders to collaborate and create synergies in the bee value chain.  

“We shall support our beekeepers to ensure good quality honey and other products and seek necessary certifications and branding even for as the residual monitoring plans are implemented to meet external markets. Youth capacity development is key to ensure knowledge, technology transfer and income diversification. I encourage the youth to take up Certificate, Diploma and degree courses in apiculture.” He added.

For more information contact

Joseph Othieno

FAO Kenya Communication Specialist

[email protected]