Murang'a Farmer Launches Bee Venom Therapy After Self-Training in Apitherapy

By Bellafam Africa Ltd

Stephen Kimani, a Murang'a-based farmer and director of Bellafam Africa, has pioneered one of Kenya's first professional apitherapy practices after teaching himself innovative ways to use bees and bee venom in treating human ailments.

"I ventured into bee venom farming after studying its potential for natural and sustainable healthcare in Romania."

— Stephen Kimani

The Rising Demand for Bee Venom

Beekeepers are now expanding beyond traditional honey production to tap into the growing market for bee venom, also known as apitoxin. Rich in bioactive compounds, bee venom is gaining recognition for its medicinal properties, with research indicating its ability to:

Reduce inflammation
Alleviate pain
Combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria like MRSA

How Bee Venom Therapy Works

Stephen administers the therapy using two primary methods:

Bee Sting Therapy

Effective for arthritis, migraines, and inflammation, this method involves carefully placing a bee on the affected area, allowing it to sting, and leaving the stinger in place for a few minutes before removal.

Venom Injections

Using a bee venom collector, mild electrical currents stimulate bees to release venom onto a glass plate. The dried venom is then processed into injectables or mixed into medicinal honey syrups.

"After extraction, I dilute the venom to a precise concentration with saline or water for injections. This method is excellent for detoxification and immune-boosting."

— Stephen Kimani

Safety and Sustainable Practices

While promising, the therapy isn't without risks. Patients are first tested for allergies, and those with low blood pressure or a history of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis) are excluded. Mild itchiness post-treatment is common, but Stephen provides oils and massage techniques to ease discomfort.

To protect his hives, Stephen harvests venom only from older bees—typically those expelled from the colony—preserving younger bees and maintaining colony health.

Learn More About Apitherapy

Discover how bee venom therapy could help you or your loved ones.

Contact Bella Farm Africa

Overcoming Challenges

Adoption hasn't been easy. "Convincing people of bee venom therapy's viability took persistence," he admitted. "But now, many who didn't respond to conventional medicine have seen improvements."

Setting up the business required significant investment. "It's costly to start—bee venom collectors alone cost between Sh80,000 and Sh120,000. But with over Sh1 million invested, the risk has paid off," he said.