Director

FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR

Ernest Simeoni

Ernest Simeoni is the founder and Managing Director of African Beekeepers Limited and a pioneer of modern Langstroth beekeeping in Kenya.

Ernest introduced the Langstroth beehive in Kenya in 1994. He subsequently founded Honey Care International Limited, which later became Honey Care Africa. In 2000, he established African Beekeepers Limited, which he continues to lead.

During the early development of Honey Care International, Ernest established Kenya’s first commercial Langstroth beehive manufacturing factory. His current factory manufactures high-quality Langstroth beehives and related equipment, with the capacity to produce 1,000 fully assembled beehives and knock-down hive kits.

REGIONAL EXPERIENCE

Three Decades of Beekeeping Development

During more than 30 years of professional experience, Ernest has worked with numerous international and local non-governmental organizations to promote the honey industry and develop modern beekeeping practices.

His work has extended across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Sudan, Uganda and Namibia. These initiatives have helped small-scale rural farmers generate additional income from honey while supporting increased food production through crop pollination by well-managed bee colonies.

Kenya’s diverse communities have also given Ernest an opportunity to understand the traditional economic activities and beekeeping practices of different ethnic groups. This knowledge has enabled him to introduce modern beekeeping technologies in ways that respect local experience while improving the quality and quantity of honey production.

AFRICAN BEE EXPERTISE

Understanding Bees, Flora and Honey Seasons

Through years of fieldwork, Ernest has developed extensive knowledge of African honey-bee species, their behaviour and their management within Langstroth hive systems.

He has studied the local flora responsible for nectar flows in different ecological zones of Kenya. Through long-term data collection, he has documented flowering seasons and vegetation patterns, making it possible to plan honey production more accurately.

Ernest has also invested considerable time in modifying the Langstroth beehive to suit African bees and local environmental conditions. These modifications include developing comb-starter sheets suited to the size of African bees and increasing the number of brood frames to reduce excessive bee space and prevent burr-comb formation.

POLLINATION AND INNOVATION

Developing Practical Systems for Modern Apiaries

Commercial crop pollination has historically received limited attention in Kenya. Ernest has developed systems and procedures for conducting commercial pollination using managed Langstroth beehives and has applied this approach through commercial engagements.

Given the harsh conditions and predators found in some local environments, he has designed different hive-placement systems to protect bee colonies from pests and predators such as the honey badger.

He has also introduced protective bee suits capable of withstanding the defensive behaviour and stings of African bees, making hive management safer and more practical for beekeepers.

DIGITAL BEEKEEPING

Hive Monitoring and Field Management Technology

Ernest has been involved in developing hive-monitoring equipment, including a beehive scale capable of monitoring internal and external temperatures as well as changes in hive weight.

The monitoring system can transmit information through SMS and web-based platforms, providing real-time data to a computer or smartphone. This helps beekeepers and apiary managers follow colony activity and changes in honey production more effectively.

He has also developed a web-based platform known as HIVE TRACKS. The system monitors field apiaries and contracted out-growers, recording honey production, environmental conditions, geolocation, hive activity, weather and payments made to honey producers.

Information from participating apiaries is recorded centrally in real time, making it easier to manage distributed beekeeping operations and maintain accurate production records.

QUEEN REARING AND HONEY PRODUCTION

Improving Colony Productivity and Honey Quality

Ernest recognizes that productive colonies and strong queens are essential to achieving high honey yields from Langstroth beehives. Queen-bee rearing has therefore become an important part of his beekeeping work.

He has successfully reared queen bees and continues to explore opportunities for improving queen genetics and breeding through techniques such as controlled artificial insemination.

Through careful and consistent management of Langstroth beehives, Ernest has achieved the production of high-quality honey from his own apiaries for both local and international markets.

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

Unlocking East Africa’s Beekeeping Potential

Ernest believes that East Africa has significant untapped potential in the honey industry when bee colonies are properly managed and appropriate beekeeping equipment is used.

Beekeeping is particularly suited to rural communities because honey is a valuable commodity with an enduring market. Managed bees also contribute to increased food production through crop pollination.

However, productive beekeeping requires hard work, trained skills, constant colony management and high-quality equipment. For Ernest, successful honey production is not only about keeping bees: it also depends on protecting the environment and applying effective management practices.