Bee framers in Kiambu County have been warned against hanging beehives in homesteads as it poses a great risk to people’s lives.
Speaking on Thursday in her office, Kiambu Sub-County livestock production officer Ms Lydia Mariga said although bees are an important sub-sector of livestock farming, they can also be dangerous especially when reared near homes.
She noted that bee stings produce venom which could kill a victim adding that bees attack when their colonies are threatened.
Mariga said loud lawnmowers, music and other noises in the homesteads like those emanating from farm machines might irritate bees making them aggressive.
The officer advised that if one comes across a swarm of bees, they should seek shelter immediately to avoid loss of life.
She advised farmers to never assume that a beehive is empty and always seek professional assistance to safely move them.
Mariga urged farmers not to shy away from bee farming saying that apart from honey, production bees play an important role in pollination.
"The county government in conjunction with the ministry are planning to conduct a safety awareness campaign among bee farmers in the area," said Mariga.
Mrs Mary Wambui, a bee farmer, said that her baby was stung by bees which she was rearing in her homestead, forcing her to relocate to avoid other family members getting stung.
She urged other farmers not to rear the bees within their homesteads saying that prevention is better than cure.