Honey brings smiles to 30 widows in Kilifi's Dabaso village

As evening falls over the mangrove forest of Mida Creek in Dabaso, Kilifi County, the setting sun baths the landscape in a warm amber glow.

Light filters through the mangrove branches, casting golden patterns on the forest floor. Beneath the dense canopy, dozens of wooden beehives rest quietly, alive with activity.

Thousands of bees buzz in a rhythmic dance, their shimmering wings catching the light as they dart in and out of hive entrances, returning with nectar from the flowering mangroves, a clear sign that honey-making is in full swing.

In the nearby village of Mida Majaoni, a group of 30 widows prepare for the evening honey harvest – a ritual that has become both a livelihood and a symbol of resilience.

Leading them is 63-year-old Agnes Kombe, the soft-spoken but spirited founder of the Mida Wajane Maendeleo Women's Group, whose journey from personal loss to communal empowerment is etched in every step she takes.

"Losing my husband in 2008 was the most difficult moment of my life; my children were still young. Life became incredibly hard. The weight of raising a family on my own felt heavier each day," says Ms Kombe, her voice steady but filled with emotion.

She pauses, then continues with quiet resolve. "But I refused to give up. I knew I wasn’t alone; there were many other widows in my village facing the same struggles.

"That’s when I decided to bring us together and form the Mida Wajane Maendeleo Women’s Group. My goal was to lift widows out of poverty by helping them become financially independent."

One by one, the women don their protective bee suits, zipping them up with practised ease. Wide-brimmed veils cover their faces, gloves pulled snug over their hands, and boots crunch softly on the sandy ground.

They check their equipment with the precision of seasoned harvesters. The hive tool is slipped into pockets for prying open lids. Bee smokers – small canisters with bellows – are packed with dried leaves and lit, ready to calm the hives.

Nearby, buckets and stainless steel strainers stand ready to receive the liquid gold. A honey extractor, gleaming in the soft light, waits patiently under a tree, while uncapping knives and bee brushes are carefully laid out like instruments in a surgery.

"I’m 45 years old and a mother of 10 children. I’m the team lead here because most of the elderly women can’t handle the painful sting of the vicious bees. So now, I’m in charge; everyone takes instructions from me, from hive inspection to harvesting," says Irene Dhahabu with a proud smile.

Dressed in their protective suits, the women move as one through the dimness, their faces hidden beneath veils, their eyes set on the task ahead. Each step taken through the underbrush is a step away from poverty, each movement a deliberate act of defiance against the challenges they face.

"Once you lose your husband, society sees you as nothing more than a burden. Even the relatives keep their distance. That’s the pain we carry every day, but this project gives us hope and relief," says Jumwa Kazungu, her voice heavy with emotion.

As they approach the hives, the faint light of their lanterns flickers, casting dancing shadows on the forest floor. They carefully inspect each hive, ensuring the honey is ripe for harvest.

"We start by carefully inspecting the hives," says Ms Dhahabu with a proud smile. "First, we use the smoker to calm the bees, then we gently lift the frames. The honey is ready when it's capped, so we uncap it with a special knife, making sure not to disturb the comb. Once it's uncapped, we place the frames in the honey extractor, and with a few turns, the golden honey flows out. It's a careful process, but the reward is always worth it."

Patiently, they move from one hive to the next, the hours slipping by unnoticed. What began at 7 PM has now stretched into midnight, and yet, they have only reached the 46th hive.

"We started with just two beehives in 2020; a year later, KEMFSED awarded us a Sh3 million grant, and with that, we expanded by adding 90 more beehives. This has had a tremendous impact on our business. From harvesting just 10 litres of honey, we now collect about 300 litres every quarter. If all 96 hives are fully colonised, we can comfortably produce 1,600 litres of honey each year," says Agnes Kombe.

Their dedication caught the attention of the Kenya Marine Fisheries and Socio-Economic Development project (KEMFSED).

"These widows have been an inspiration to all the groups we've funded; despite their advanced age, they have proven that women are the backbone of micro and small enterprises (SMEs). We've also provided them with training on leadership, financial management, and honey quality standards. Additionally, we supplied them with a 3-frame centrifuge beekeeping honey extractor, and we are constructing a honey shed to enable them to process their honey , which will greatly improve the quality of the honey they produce." says Lucy Kapombe, Kilifi KEMFSED Project Coordinator.

Honey remains the most widely consumed agricultural product, enjoyed by households and industries such as beauty, food, and pharmaceuticals. With each litre of their premium mangrove honey selling for Sh1,600, the group's annual revenue from honey sales is projected to reach an impressive Sh2.56 million.

"When we started, it was just us, the widows. Now, we are expanding to include young mothers and women from disadvantaged backgrounds. My aim is to eradicate poverty in this village and provide financial independence to these women," says Kombe.

The Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) 2023-2024 report indicates that the country produces approximately 18,000 metric tonnes of honey annually, while domestic consumption stands at around 38,000 metric tonnes, creating a significant supply gap.

This shortfall presents a promising opportunity for local producers to meet domestic demand and reduce reliance on imports.

"The arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) of Kenya, which make up about 80 per cent of the country's landmass, are especially ideal for beekeeping. These regions account for 80 per cent of the nation's honey production, showcasing the untapped potential within these communities, including Kilifi County. This is the area we are focused on investing in," says Ms Kapombe.

Through beekeeping, these widows have transformed their lives, contributing to both their community's economic development and environmental conservation.

Ms Kazungu confirms, "Long are the days of struggle for widows in this village. Life has taken me from lack to abundance. I can now sleep soundly, knowing I won't go to bed hungry tomorrow. We have come from a point of sorrow to a point of supporting each other, both emotionally and financially."

Ms Dhahabu, a member of the Mida Wajane Maendeleo Women Group, smiles with pride as she says, "I can now pay school fees for my children. Before, they had stopped dreaming about education because I couldn't afford it. But now, thanks to this initiative, they are back in school, and I see hope in their eyes again."

Despite the promising prospects, the honey industry in Kenya faces several challenges, including the use of agricultural pesticides and herbicides in farmlands that harm bees, weaken their health, and contaminate nectar and pollen. Additionally, limited access to credit hinders beekeepers' ability to invest in essential resources, while difficulty in accessing markets impedes commercialisation efforts.

"Our main challenge remains finding a market. If we could secure a buyer for all the honey we produce, then every one of these women would walk to the bank with a minimum of Sh500,000 in annual returns," says Ms Kombe.

The KEMFSED project has been instrumental in supporting community initiatives with 287 self-help groups in Kilifi since its inception. These funds have been directed towards various sub-projects across sectors, including fisheries, environment, livestock, agriculture, community development, and SMEs.

"Supporting women-led businesses brings numerous advantages, benefiting the individuals involved and the broader community," says Ms Kapombe, Kilifi KEMFSED Project Coordinator.

The group now also is investing in a revolving fund where members can easily access soft loans to meet their needs.