How Youths Embraced Apiculture For Employment

Shadrack Musumba

Scarcity of work in the country has rendered many jobless amid Covid-19 pandemic.

Chris Kimathi from Tharaka Nithi County is the 8th born in his family.

Kimathi passed through hardships following the demise of his parents which left him an orphan.

He has been employed to several people in Nairobi for casual work following the inability to pay school fees until 2003 with the help of former president Mwai Kibaki’s government he joined school and achieved good grades at Chuka Boys High School and joined college.

After college he was unable to earn a job and therefore started bee keeping with the help of other eight young people.

“Bee keeping is one way to conserve the environment while generating income. Referring to the Bible, God promised Israelites he will take them to a land of milk and honey, meaning honey is food and medicine concurrently,” said Kimathi.

He asked for well wishers’ support to purchase modern machines which will aid in harnessing honey and wax to final products to reach him through 0719 537396.

He said the greatest challenge in the in the industry is competition from already established producers, inadequate capital and manpower and poor infrastructure.

Speaking at a Nairobi hotel, Kimathi said agribusiness is the way to go as job opportunities in Kenya are limited, apiculture is a fulltime job.

“Bee keeping is a beneficial activity for bee keepers with its adverse impact trickling down the chain to their families, the larger community and the whole ecosystem,” he added.

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