Background

The challenge for decision-makers and citizens in Kenya consists of reversing the country’s devastating economic decline. In all three basic measures of human development – life expectancy, education and economic wellbeing – Kenya has fallen behind. The number of people living below the poverty line has increased from 11.3m in 1990 (48.4% of the population) to 17.1m in 2001 (55.4% of the population). In this context, private-sector led initiatives have succeeded in transforming some sectors. However, these efforts do not usually reach the poorest rural populations.

Agriculture, especially farming and cattle rearing, continues to be the most important economic activity in Kenya. It accounts for 24% of GDP and 18% of wage employment for the 1.7 million who work in the formal sector. In the informal sector, which employs 31.3 million Kenyans, agriculture is the main source of employment.

For Joel Akaki, a polio victim and father of four from rural western Kenya, Honey Care has provided his family with a way out of grinding poverty. He had an apiary consisting of outdated log and pot hives. Then he attended a three-day training in Nairobi that demonstrated the Honey Care system. In the year since, Joel has added US$ 200 to the family income thanks to the new techniques and the sale of his honey to Honey Care. His yield increased from 10 kg. of honey to 56.6 in the same time period. The income has enabled Joel to pay school fees for his children and to buy more food for his family.