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Nakuru to host World Bee Day celebrations

The Apimondia Regional Commission (ARC) President, Mr David Mukomana, in a statement, said the three-day program will include technical tours to see beekeeping within Nakuru County and any other areas, exhibitions, seminars and the actual celebrations.

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Bees on a honey comb

Nakuru City will this year host the Regional World Bee Day (WBD) celebrations from the 18th – to the 20th of May 2022.

The yearly event is commemorated to raise awareness about the importance of bees and other pollinators for humanity in food security, global hunger eradication, and environmental and biodiversity conservation.

Under the theme; “Bee engaged: Celebrating the contribution of bees to the environment, food security and income generation to mankind.”

The forum will share knowledge from across the world, and draw the attention of the public and decision-makers to the importance of protecting bees as well as halting the further loss of biodiversity and degradation of ecosystems following the Paris Agreement.

FAO estimates that bees contribute to the pollination of food worth between $ 235 and $ 580 billion every year and that their decline continues to strain food systems.

Intensive farming practices, excessive use of agrochemicals, habitat loss, and adverse effects of climate among other issues have been identified as key hindrances causing the depopulation of bees and loss of colonies.

With such challenges, there is a need to come up with solutions that are resistive to the increasing bee population globally.

According to FAO, Kenya ranks third in Africa after Tanzania which is the largest producer of honey and produces approximately 31,405 tonnes annually while Angola ranks second producing about 23,500 tonnes annually.

As of 2020, Kenya’s production of honey was at 17,801 tonnes, up from 13,877 tonnes the previous year, this is a change of 28.28%.

Speaking during a past apiculture stakeholders’ workshop, State Department for Livestock Production Principal Secretary, Mr Harry Kimtai, expressed concern that new pests and farm pesticides have hit colonies hard.

“We’re collaborating with devolved units to halt the alarming depletion of bee colonies. Bee colony multiplication initiatives include capacity building, beekeeping equipment distribution, and bee bulking,” revealed PS Kimtai.

Despite the potential of honey production and the benefits of apicultural activity, very little income accrues from the activity.

The government in its progress, in the Big Four Agenda on 100% food and nutrition security, is committed to enhancing honey production from 25,000 tonnes to 38,000 tonnes by the year 2022.

Beekeeping offers an alternative source of livelihood and protects biodiversity and should ideally be established away from human interaction with enough bee forage and all-year-round availability of water to provide favourable conditions for beekeeping.

Nakuru County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, Dr Immaculate Maina, says that, ‘’bees have become increasingly endangered with one million species facing extinction. Thus, beekeeping should be embraced as an alternative environmentally friendly income-earning enterprise.”

‘’We hope that by hosting this event, we will be able to proactively assist in the opening up of our county by giving marketing opportunities and investment prospects in the apiculture industry,” Dr Maina noted.

“We also anticipate important topics discussed during the three-day forum, such as the role of women in the sector as those most affected by climate change, solutions to save our bee species from extinction, and how we can continue to rely on pollinators to save us from the current climate crisis,” she concluded.

Acting CEO of the Apiculture Platform of Kenya (APK), Mr Frederick Otieno Odera, says that beekeeping has significant potential in Africa to improve rural incomes and diversify livelihoods.

“We hope the commemoration of the National World Bee Day will showcase new technologies and sustainable measures from across the world in the apiculture industry and provide sustainable solutions to save our bees in the current climate crisis,” said Otieno.

The Apimondia Regional Commission (ARC) President, Mr David Mukomana, in a statement, said the three-day program will include technical tours to see beekeeping within Nakuru County and any other areas, exhibitions, seminars and the actual celebrations.

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Nakuru

Nakuru Rastafarians Urge Kenyans to Protect Cultural Traditions, Values after LGBTQ Ruling

Same-sex unions remain illegal in Kenya, as homosexual activity is criminalized under Section 162 of the Penal Code. The maximum sentence for engaging in homosexual activity is 14 years in prison.

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Rasta and Gay Pride colors

The Rastafari community in Nakuru is calling on Kenyans to stand up and protect their cultural traditions and values following the recent Supreme Court of Kenya ruling on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ).

The apex court recently criticised the government for failing to register unions and associations for the LGBTQ people, saying the decision discriminates against the rights of the community.

The NGOs Co-ordination Board had refused to register six unions, among them the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and the Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Council

In a strong statement, the Empress Menen Cultural Group is urging the government to take immediate action, of whatever nature, to reverse the ruling, which they say undermines the very fabric of the society.

The group’s chairman, Kimathi Thuo stated that leaders must protect Kenya’s traditional values and promote the principles of natural law and morality.

“We call on the government to ensure that the traditional values that have guided us throughout our history are respected and protected,” he stated on the sidelines of a worship service in Nakuru City.

He said the community fully supports the recent comments made by political leaders, led by President William Ruto regarding LGBTQ unions and associations.

The Rastafari community emphasized that the government should immediately give a way forward, specifically that which respects the country’s values and beliefs

“It is only through united and such honest efforts that we can ensure that these values are preserved for future generations,” stated Thuo the Rastafarians stand with all groups protecting the sanctity of family structures.

LGBTQ advocacy groups and individuals have for years been pushing for greater recognition and protection of the rights of the LGBTQ community in Kenya.

They have been vocal about the need to repeal laws that criminalize homosexuality and provide legal recognition and protection for same-sex relationships.

However, same-sex unions remain illegal in Kenya, as homosexual activity is criminalized under Section 162 of the Penal Code. The maximum sentence for engaging in homosexual activity is 14 years in prison.

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Nakuru

DG Kones Advocates for Bible Accessibility in All Languages

The greatest missionary is the Bible in the mother tongue. It never needs a furlough, is never considered a foreigner, and it costs nothing

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Participants during the fun run. Photo/NGPU

The importance of the Bible in Christianity cannot be overemphasized, as it serves as the foundation for Christian beliefs and practices. However, for some communities, access to this holy book in their native language is a challenge, hindering their spiritual growth and understanding of the faith.

To bridge this gap, the Bible Translation and Literacy organization celebrated its 41st anniversary by organizing a fun run at Nakuru High School to raise awareness and funds for its translation projects.

Nakuru Deputy Governor David Kones, who attended the event, stressed the significance of making the Bible accessible to all communities, saying, “The Bible is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and guidance, and everyone must have access to it in their native language.”

The event was also graced by other officials, including Chief Officer Resource mobilisation Pastor Alex Maina, Vice-chair of BTK Board Kendi Ogamba, and the manager of Investment BTK Godfrey Mwenda. They also participated in flagging off the race, marking the organization’s inception 41 years ago.

The run saw the participation of children from various schools, reminding everyone of the importance of making the Bible available to all communities, regardless of language or background. As the Deputy Governor rightly put it, “Let’s do good when we can, for time waits for no man.”

Overall, this fun run serves as a call to action to support organizations like Bible Translation and Literacy, as they work towards making the Bible accessible to all communities. In the words of the organization’s founder, Cameron Townsend, “The greatest missionary is the Bible in the mother tongue. It never needs a furlough, is never considered a foreigner, and it costs nothing.”

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Nakuru

Kenyan Fertilizer Plant Aims to Address National Fertilizer Deficit

The fertilizer deficit in Kenya has been a longstanding challenge for the country’s farmers, many of whom struggle to afford the high cost of imported fertilizers.

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Bags of fertilizer at Fertiplant

Fertiplant, a Kenyan fertilizer plant based in Nakuru, is working to address the country’s fertilizer deficit ahead of the planting season. The Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium (NPK) granulation company boasts an annual production capacity of 100,000 tonnes, a significant contribution to the country’s agricultural sector.

According to Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture, the country requires an estimated 600,000 tonnes of fertilizer annually, but local production can only meet approximately 20% of that demand. The rest must be imported, leading to high prices and limited access for many farmers.

Fertiplant aims to change this by producing high-quality fertilizers that are accessible and affordable for local farmers. The plant’s granules are made from a combination of locally-sourced raw materials and imported components, ensuring that they are tailored to meet the specific needs of Kenyan crops.

The company’s efforts have been recognized by the government, with President William Ruto, visiting the plant to officially open it and oversee its operations. The President praised Fertiplant for its contributions to the agricultural sector, highlighting the important role of local production in addressing the country’s fertilizer deficit.

“We are proud of what Fertiplant is doing to support our farmers,” said Ruto. “Their production of high-quality fertilizers is a testament to the potential of our local agricultural industry. By supporting local production, we can reduce our reliance on imports and ensure that our farmers have access to the resources they need to succeed.”

The fertilizer deficit in Kenya has been a longstanding challenge for the country’s farmers, many of whom struggle to afford the high cost of imported fertilizers. Fertiplant’s efforts to address this deficit by producing high-quality fertilizers locally have been met with enthusiasm by farmers in the region.

“Having a local fertilizer plant is a game-changer for us,” said John Kipkoech, a farmer based in Nakuru. “We have struggled for years with high prices and limited access to fertilizers, but now we have a reliable source of high-quality products right here in our community. This will make a huge difference for our crops and our livelihoods.”

As the planting season approaches, the importance of accessible and affordable fertilizers cannot be overstated. Fertiplant’s efforts to address the country’s fertilizer deficit are a step in the right direction, supporting local farmers and contributing to Kenya’s agricultural development.

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