Turkana Expands Honey Farming Push as County Targets New Economic Growth

Kenya, May 23, 2026 - Bee farmers in Turkana Central, Turkana South and Loima are set to benefit from a new partnership between the county government and the International Trade Centre (ITC) aimed at transforming apiculture into a major economic activity.

The collaboration will support the development of the Turkana County Apiculture Value Chain Strategy, targeting increased honey production, value addition and market access for farmers.

Speaking during a validation meeting in Lodwar, Chief Officer for Livestock Development and Fisheries Peter Ikaru said the beekeeping sector was rapidly gaining popularity as an alternative source of income for pastoralist communities.

“With high production areas in Turkana West/Lokichoggio, Turkana South (Aroo) and Loima/Lokiriama producing 80,881 kilogrammes of honey annually and benefiting over 5,200 households, the sub-sector is proving that it can scale into a full-blown alternative livelihood for pastoralists,” said Mr Ikaru.

He noted that protecting bees also plays a critical role in biodiversity conservation and improving crop production.

Mr Ikaru said the proposed value chain strategy would strengthen the county economy while directly benefiting beekeepers, traders, artisans and other players in the sector.

He urged development partners to support the expansion of beekeeping programmes to more low-potential sub-counties, saying wider adoption across all wards would help attract increased budgetary allocation for apiculture.

The meeting, supported by ITC through funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), focused on shifting communities from subsistence to commercial agriculture through modernised production systems, value addition and job creation.

Deputy Director in charge of Apiculture Josephine Emase said Turkana’s hosting of World Bee Day last year had elevated the county into the ranks of leading apiculture regions in Kenya.

“Our broad investment focus in apiculture is to increase production and productivity of beehives to meet the supply gap of 938,793 kilogrammes of unmet demand against the current supply of 80,881 kilogrammes, with Turkana’s annual demand estimated at 1,019,674 kilogrammes,” she said.

Ms Emase described the sector as a major investment opportunity, citing access to regional markets in Uganda, South Sudan and Tanzania.

ITC representatives Julius Lokaale and Rao Pothuri reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting the county’s beekeeping agenda.

“ITC is committed to ensuring Turkana is a place to Bee through championing the development of the Turkana County Beekeeping Strategy together with the Department of Agriculture and Livestock and other stakeholders in the honey value chain,” they said.

World Vision Kenya representative Halington Kakimon said the strategy would improve coordination among sector players and strengthen livelihoods.

He noted that the organisation is currently supporting beekeeping groups in Nalapatui and Kesekiriet in Kakuma.

ADRA representative Marychris Okumu said the county urgently needed a structured beekeeping value chain strategy to improve resource management, build farmers’ capacity and enhance livelihoods.

County directors Erenius Nakadio and Richard Lokoyan welcomed the initiative, describing it as a major step towards unlocking Turkana’s economic potential through apiculture.