KENYA INDUSTRIAL

RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

MODERN BEEKEEPING: A CASE

STUDY OF WEST POKOT HONEY
PROCESSING PILOT PLANT
Dr. Peter N. Khakina
Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute
(KIRDI)
P.O. BOX 30650 00100
NAIROBI

Background information
The study and keeping of bees is called
Apiculture.
Some reasons for bee keeping
Beekeeping products
Fun and hobby
Pollination

PRODUCTS FROM BEEKEEPING

Comb honey: Chunks of honey-filled combs taken directly
from the hive
Extracted honey: It is the extracted liquid portion
Chunk honey: It is a combination of comb honey and
extracted honey bottled together.
Beeswax is used in the manufacture of cosmetics, candles,
foundation sheets (for hives), medicines, polishes, etc.
Royal jelly: It is a substance secreted by worker bees to
feed the queen.
Bee pollen: Pollen contains up to 35% protein. It can be
eaten dry or added to other foods. Pollen is sold to the
perfume industry.
Propolis: It is a resin that bees collect from plants and they
use it to cover the inside of the hive. It has some
therapeutic and antibiotic characteristics.

BEEKEEPING PRODUCTS

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT FOR

BEEKEEPING

Mesh helmet Folding veil Smoker Electric uncapping knife Hive

tool Bee brush Sting resistant gloves

Honey harvesting equipment

Processor

Smokers

Bee hives
Top Bar Hive

Double bar hive

West Pokot honey processing plant

The West Pokot pilot plant is run by Asali Kitelakapel Self Help Group.

KIRDI in Collaboration with DANIDA supported the Self group to start the
bee keeping.
The self help group mainly process honey

Asali Kitelakapel self help group

Membership of 200 within 8 sub groups
Hive population of 200 Langstloth and 1000
Traditional hives

KIRDI has trained several farmers on modern

beekeeping and supports them in processing,
branding, packaging and creating market of their
honey

Pure honey from West Pokot

Products produced by KIRDI from

West Pokot honey
Honey based spirits

Beeswax

KIRDIS support to SMEs

Honey samples from SMEs

Another pilot plant supported by

KIRDI

Rachemo beekeepers honey

pilot plant in Marigat,
Eldama Ravine

Impact of modern beekeeping

1. Improved agricultural production through

bee pollination
2. Preservation of bee colonies
3. Production of other beekeeping products
apart from honey
4. Meeting of the job market demands
5. Job creation
6. Wealth creation

Potential for modern beekeeping

International market for honey is expected to

reach 1.9 million tons by 2015
High international demand for crops grown by
bee pollination
Demand for other products apart from honey
Approximately 80% of Kenyan land is suitable
for beekeeping

KENYA INDUSTRIAL
RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE

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