Joreen Wanini Kinyua is the innovative founder of Joreen Honey, a company committed to producing and distributing high-quality organic honey while also providing beekeeping training to farmers. Her passion for beekeeping was inspired by her family’s struggle to find pure, high-quality honey.
Frustrated with the widespread availability of adulterated honey, Joreen took matters into her own hands by enrolling in a beekeeping and honey processing course at the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI). With Sh. 150,000 she saved from her college allowance, she launched Joreen Honey in 2019.
Since its inception, Joreen Honey has created job opportunities for ten individuals. The team manages the entire honey production process, which includes sourcing raw materials, production, packaging, labeling, and distribution. Joreen ensures the highest standards of quality by sourcing honey from various regions of Kenya, such as Baringo, West Pokot, Nanyuki, Laikipia, and Meru, as well as from neighboring Tanzania and Uganda. Each batch of honey undergoes testing during aggregation to confirm its purity.
Joreen Honey began operations in 2020, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, which triggered a significant increase in demand for honey. Many people turned to honey to sweeten a health concoction known as ‘dawa,’ made with ginger, garlic, and lemon. The company offers bulk orders at Sh. 350 per kilogram, with a minimum order of one ton, and smaller quantities at Sh. 350 for 500 grams.
Despite challenges, such as occasional batches of adulterated honey from farmers, Joreen remains committed to delivering pure, organic honey to her customers. She trains farmers in sustainable beekeeping practices and works closely with trusted suppliers to ensure the quality of her raw materials. Joreen’s entrepreneurial achievements have earned her several accolades, including being named Youth of the Year in the Top 35 Under 35 Youths in Kenya and winning the FOYA Global award in the manufacturing category. She has also been nominated for the Zuri Awards 2021 in both the entrepreneurship and agriculture categories.
