Stingless bees are small social insects in the tribe Meliponini that naturally occur across tropical and subtropical regions, including Kenya. Unlike common honeybees, their stingers are highly reduced and cannot be used for defense, making them effectively stingless. Despite this, they are strong pollinators. Kenya hosts at least 12 native species, including Meliponula, Plebeina, Hypotrigona, and Dactylurina, which occupy forests, savannah edges, and farmland margins.
These bees build nests in underground cavities, tree hollows, or termite mounds. For example, Meliponula beccarii in Baringo County constructs subterranean nests with distinct entrance tubes and chambers that support colony activities. Other species may nest in tree bark or small cavities, depending on local conditions.
Stingless bee honey is highly valued for its medicinal, nutritional, and cultural uses. In western Kenya, particularly around Kakamega Forest, communities use the honey for food, traditional medicine, and rituals. Domesticated species such as M. bocandei, M. togoensis, and M. ferruginea can yield up to 5 kg of honey per colony annually. Its unique flavor and health benefits often make it more expensive than regular honey.
Interest in meliponiculture (stingless bee keeping) is growing in Kenya. Researchers and community groups are improving hive designs and management practices to support biodiversity, enhance crop pollination, and provide livelihoods in rural areas. Although their populations are small, stingless bees represent a sustainable resource for honey production and ecological conservation.