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| Tangus's apiary |
From a Hobby to a Thriving Business
Tangus began his beekeeping journey over 20 years ago with just a few handmade hives placed along the boundary of his one-acre farm. With only Sh3,000, he bought timber, nails, and paint—and made his first hive by hand.
But what began as a simple venture soon turned into trouble. His bees often attacked neighbors and livestock, prompting complaints and even intervention from the local chief.
“I didn’t want to give up,” Tangus recalls. “I had already seen the value of bees and the income they could bring.”
Determined to find a solution, he sought training at Baraka Agricultural College in Molo in 2005. There, he learned not only modern hive-making, harvesting, and processing techniques but also the art of living peacefully with bees.
Creating Harmony with Bees
Armed with new knowledge, Tangus transformed his apiary setup. He fenced off his farm with timber offcuts, planted trees to create a natural barrier, and strategically relocated his hives further from human activity.
His hives—a mix of Langstroth, Kenya Top Bar, and a few traditional models—now hang about five feet off the ground on sturdy posts, secured by strong wires. Each post is coated with oil and grease to deter ants and pests.
“Hanging hives helps control pests and predators. The bees feel safe, and I can easily inspect or harvest without disturbance,” says the 52-year-old beekeeper.
Today, Tangus manages 40 fully inhabited hives, and his farm has become a demonstration site for other farmers who come to learn sustainable beekeeping practices.
The Sweet Rewards of Coexistence
From his buzzing companions, Tangus now earns over Sh250,000 every four months. His honey, branded Kipyetge Pure Honey, is sold in 50 g bottles at Sh50 and 1 kg tins at Sh800.
But honey is only part of the story. Tangus has tapped into the goldmine of bee by-products.
🕯️ Beeswax Candles
He melts wax, inserts a wick in a 10-inch pipe, pours in the wax, and lets it cool into beautiful natural candles. These are sold to churches and homes across the region.
💄 Natural Skin Ointment
His skin ointment, made from beeswax, sunflower oil, and herbal extracts, is used to treat wounds and fungal skin infections.
🐝 Hive Craftsmanship
Near his home, Tangus runs a small workshop where he crafts modern Langstroth hives. He’s built over 2,000 hives, each sold at Sh5,000 to farmers and community groups. Currently, he’s working on 600 hives for a church project, employing five local artisans in the process.
Expert Insights
According to Felix Opinya, a researcher at Egerton University, Tangus’s approach is a model for peaceful coexistence:
“High fences and strategic hive placement prevent unnecessary contact between bees and people. Bees only attack when provoked, so barriers like these ensure harmony.”
Joseph Cheruiyot Bett, a Livestock Production Officer in Sotik sub-county, adds:
“The real fortune in beekeeping lies in value addition. Beeswax alone can fetch up to five times the value of honey when processed correctly.”
A Model for Sustainable Living
What started as a small experiment on a one-acre farm has become a model of sustainable beekeeping. Tangus’s farm not only produces pure, natural honey but also demonstrates that humans and bees can live together peacefully—with a bit of understanding, care, and innovation.
“Bees are our friends,” Tangus says with a smile. “Once you learn how to respect their space, they reward you generously.”
🌿 Key Takeaways:
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Fence your apiary and plant trees for safety and harmony.
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Use oil or grease to deter ants and pests naturally.
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Hang hives at least 5 feet above the ground.
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Focus on value addition—wax, candles, and skin care products increase profits.
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Education and training are key to successful and peaceful beekeeping.
Living peacefully with bees isn’t just possible—it’s rewarding.
With the right knowledge and respect, anyone can turn a buzzing backyard into a thriving source of income and environmental balance.
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