In the picturesque landscapes of Kiria-ini, Murang’a County, a remarkable teacher named Paul Njuki, aged 58, has found his calling not only in the classroom but also as a thriving beekeeper.
Combining his profession and his passion, he has unlocked a world of sweet success through his flourishing venture in apiculture. Did you know that Njuki is a Kikuyu that name means bees?
Here is his story as told by WoK.
A Childhood Passion Awakens
He recalls his lifelong fascination with beekeeping that began in his early years. Inspired by his late father, an expert beekeeper, he developed a deep-rooted passion for apiculture and knew that one day he would follow in his father’s footsteps.
Recalling his formative years, he reminisces, “Whenever my father went to harvest honey from the bee hives, he would bring along my brothers and me, imparting invaluable knowledge about beekeeping.”
Balancing Professions
As a dedicated teacher by profession, Njuki manages to balance his teaching career with his beekeeping venture.
Recognizing the value of diversifying his income, he embraced beekeeping as a means to supplement his salary and provide an alternate source of revenue for his family.
Beekeeping emerged as the perfect solution, offering him an alternate revenue stream through the sale of honey.
Sweet Rewards: Honey as an Alternate Income
With the economic challenges faced by many individuals, Njuki understands the importance of having multiple income streams. Beekeeping has proven to be a fruitful endeavor for him, as he sells the honey produced by his hives to generate additional income for a more comfortable life.
Crafting Success from Scratch
Ten years ago, Njuki embarked on his beekeeping journey with minimal capital. Utilizing his expertise and knowledge passed down by his father, he skillfully constructed his own beehives without external assistance.
By minimizing costs and utilizing his resourcefulness, Njuki was able to establish his beekeeping operation.
The Golden Harvest
His honey sales have flourished, with each 250ml bottle fetching a price of Ksh250. Monthly, he sells approximately fifty jars of honey, indicating a high demand for his quality product.
Through his dedication and commitment to maintaining healthy beehives, Njuki has built a reputation for producing delicious and pure honey.
Beekeeping Challenges
Like any business, beekeeping presents its own set of challenges. He has faced difficulties with bee eater birds, which have preyed upon his bees and disrupted their hives over the years.
Despite these obstacles, the beekeeper remains resilient and finds ways to protect his bees and minimize the impact of such challenges.
A Buzzing Future
As retirement approaches, Njuki plans to invest further in beekeeping. With a growing clientele relying on his honey, he aims to expand his beekeeping operation by constructing additional hives.
Njuki envisions a thriving future in apiculture, leveraging his expertise and experience to sustain his business ventures.
Advocating for Apiculture
Recognizing the potential of beekeeping as a lucrative and environmentally beneficial activity, Njuki urges the government to provide training programs for youth and individuals interested in learning more about beekeeping.
He believes that promoting education in apiculture will unlock its potential as a sustainable livelihood and contribute to economic growth.
