Lodwar: The State Department of Livestock Development, represented by Dr Monica Olala, has called for the selection of native and pollinator-friendly flowering plants in Turkana and other counties to ensure sustainability and food security. Dr Olala made this recommendation during the 7th edition of the World Bee Day celebrations, hosted in Turkana County.
According to Kenya News Agency, the global initiative by the United Nations, observed annually on May 20, aims to highlight the crucial role bees and other pollinators play in maintaining food security and biodiversity. Dr Olala emphasized the importance of choosing native plants for successful pollination, noting that a significant portion of crops rely on bees and pollinators. Beekeeping, according to verified data from 2024, contributed approximately Sh19.23 billion to Kenya’s agricultural GDP, ranking it sixth behind beef, dairy, poultry, goats, and sheep.
Dr Olala urged apiculture stakeholders to adopt safe pesticide use, implement integrated pest management, and embrace environmentally friendly farming practices. She highlighted the necessity of preserving natural flora patches, or ‘bee hotels’, and avoiding activities like deforestation and improper spraying that harm bee colonies. The 2025 theme, ‘Bee inspired by nature to nourish us all’, underscores the connection between pollinators, agrifood systems, and biodiversity.
The Acting County Secretary, Joseph Nyang’a, representing Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, reported that Turkana produced 138 metric tonnes of honey and 46 metric tonnes of beeswax in 2024, valued at Sh128 million and Sh32 million, respectively. Nyang’a attributed these results to investments in training, modern equipment, and processing infrastructure. The County Government allocated 5% of the Livestock Budget to support apiculture, procuring over 1,200 modern beehives, training more than 640 community beekeepers, and establishing a honey processing center in Naotin.
The County Government also supports 24 women’s groups and five youth cooperatives in beekeeping, advancing gender equity and community entrepreneurship. Assistant County Commissioner Andrew Mutuma highlighted Turkana’s rich biodiversity and indigenous knowledge as assets for sustainable apiculture.
Annie Lewa of AU/IBAR mentioned the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources’ Bee Health Project, supported by the European Union and in partnership with ICIPE, which led to the formation of the Apiculture Platform of Kenya (APK) to coordinate World Bee Day celebrations in Lodwar.