Kenya, celebrated for its diverse ecosystems, faces a unique challenge in honey production. Although the country has the capacity to produce five times its current honey output, it still imports nearly 80% of the honey consumed domestically.
This untapped potential has inspired a handful of visionary entrepreneurs to bridge this gap. Leading this movement is Savannah Honey, spearheaded by CEO Kyalo Mutua, whose innovative approach is transforming the honey industry with community-driven growth, market access, and sustainable practices.
Kyalo Mutua’s journey into the world of beekeeping began in 2013, when he transitioned from urban planning to honey production. Intrigued by the market potential for bee pollen, Mutua invested Ksh 300,000 to establish Savannah Honey, partnering with local farmers to create a sustainable business model that has steadily expanded.
Today, Savannah Honey collaborates with over 4,500 farmers across Kenya, providing them with essential equipment, training, and ongoing technical support.
Unlike many agricultural practices that require large tracts of land, bee farming is highly adaptable. As Kyalo emphasizes, bee farming doesn’t require vast land to be successful; a small backyard, rooftop, or even a modest urban space is enough for a productive apiary.
Savannah Honey’s managed farming services enable city dwellers and those with limited land or time to get involved in beekeeping without the need for direct involvement.
Savannah Honey handles everything from hive installation to honey extraction, allowing clients to enjoy the benefits of bee farming as a low-maintenance, lifelong investment.
Savannah Honey has grown from a modest enterprise into a multi-million-dollar company with operations spanning six African countries, including Uganda, Rwanda, Malawi, Zambia, and Namibia.
Their approach to beekeeping is comprehensive: they buy honey, bee pollen, propolis, royal jelly, and bee venom directly from farmers, providing them with a reliable market and fair prices. As Africa’s largest buyer of bee venom, Savannah Honey pays Ksh 40,000 per gram and purchases other bee products at competitive rates—Ksh 500 per kilogram of honey, Ksh 6,900 per kilogram of bee pollen, Ksh 1,900 per kilogram of propolis, and Ksh 38,000 per kilogram of royal jelly.
Savannah Honey also leverages the therapeutic benefits of bee products to produce health supplements for managing conditions like diabetes, inflammation, and cancer, along with a range of cosmetic products, including bee venom creams and lotions designed to address skin issues and aging.
Through their apitherapy innovations, Savannah Honey is tapping into the versatility of bee products, expanding their use beyond food to health and wellness applications.
Beyond honey production, Kyalo Mutua is the founder and chairman of East Africa Chicks, a company specializing in indigenous poultry production, as well as Baobab Properties, which focuses on land and property investments.
He also founded Alphatech Machines, which sells agricultural and manufacturing equipment, demonstrating his commitment to enhancing agricultural value across multiple sectors.
Savannah Honey’s impact extends to youth empowerment. Collaborations with organizations like the Youth Fund and GIZ aim to equip young people with modern beekeeping skills through the Agri Jobs-4-Youth initiative.
Through these efforts, Savannah Honey is not only transforming the honey industry but also creating jobs, fostering a new generation of beekeepers, and driving economic growth in rural areas.
