By Laura Nyabang’a
Governor Gladys Wanga visited the Wire Forest Management Association apiculture farm in Rachuonyo South alongside Slovenian President Dr. Natasa Pirc Musar to explore collaboration opportunities in beekeeping and honey production.
“Homa Bay has immense potential to advance commercial beekeeping, much like Slovenia, a global leader in natural honey production,” said Gov. Gladys Wanga.
Gov. Wanga was joined by Deputy Governor Oyugi Magwanga, CS Dr. Deborah Baraza, PS Jonathan Mweke, and Kenyan Ambassador to Slovenia Mr. Mark Oloo in the insightful engagement.
Honey production in Kenya is currently estimated at 100,000 metric tons, this only taps into about 20% of the country’s potential, according to APIMONDIA.
Kenya is also in the top three honey and beeswax producers in Africa.
Beekeeping in Kenya has deep roots, with indigenous communities like the Okiek engKenya.aging in it for centuries.
However, modern beekeeping has been evolving, with the development of the Kenya Top Bar hive.
80% of Kenya’s land mass is classified as ASAL, which offers a great deal of potential for beekeeping due to the abundance of bee flora, according to the Apiculture Platform of