Bee keepers in Ilkerin Loita, Narok South sub-county, have appealed to the government to support them in accessing local and international markets for their commodity.
Molonket ole Parkiswa, a beekeeper in Ilkerin, said beekeeping is a crucial economic activity for them since it is the sole source of income they depend on to earn a living.
“For us, bees are our income earners, as we are able to deal with our basic needs and pay school fees for our children,” added Parkiswa.
Currently, Parkiswa has over 250 beehives that produce at least 200 kilogrammes of honey every four months, which he sells to local consumers.
Parkiswa added that one jar of honey measuring 1 kilogramme retails for Ksh500 in the local market and he feels that the price is too low for them.
Parkiswa said that the low prices are contributed by honey from the neighbouring country, which to him is not pure honey. He claims that the honey contains a mixture of honey, sugar and water.
Nditika Koisa, also a beekeeper, noted that these lower prices make it very hard for them to maintain and continue with this business.
Koisa urged the government to provide a cushion for them so as to be able to access larger local markets in the country and even foreign markets.
“With the competition from the neighbouring country, we plead with our government to intervene and help us have access to bigger national and international markets,” Said Koisa.
Further, Koisa calls on the government to regulate honey from Tanzania so as to help them be able to compete efficiently and reduce the entry of contaminated honey into the country.
Another beekeeper, Peter Sunkuyia, said that he and his family have been beekeepers for over 25 years and are proud to carry out that business, asking the government to intervene and bring on board regulations.
“I developed a passion for honeybees at a young age, as my father was a beekeeper as well,” Sunkuyia said.
Sunkuyia is among those worried by the contaminated honey from the neighbouring country, which has reduced the value of their honey, thus lowering the price of their commodity, making it hard for them to continue with the business.
In addition, Miliari Tiges, a resident and a consumer of the local honey, praised beekeepers from Ilkerin Loita, saying that they provide the best honey; therefore, there is a difference between honey from Ilkerin Loita and that from neighbouring Tanzania.
“Our honey is pure, and our prayer to the government is that this commodity will make its way into our local and international markets. It is one of the best on the market,” said Tiges.
In Loita, beekeeping is one of the main economic activities, and the locals plead with the government to intervene and find markets for the commodity.
By John Kaleke and Amos Maine
