From Retirement to a Thriving Honey Enterprise: David Ndegwa’s Journey with Mweiga Bee Hub

In Mweiga, Nyeri County, a retired farmer is discovering that entrepreneurship can offer more than an income. With the right business support, it can become an opportunity to build something that lasts for generations.

For David Ndegwa, retirement is not the end of his working life. Instead, it marks the beginning of an unexpected entrepreneurial journey, one that is now taking shape through beekeeping in Mweiga, Nyeri County.

After retiring, David explored different farming ventures, starting with poultry and dairy farming, in search of an activity that would give him purpose while providing a steady source of income. He eventually discovered beekeeping, an enterprise that captured his interest and inspired him to establish Mweiga Bee Hub.

But turning his passion into a viable business comes with its own challenges. Initially, David produced honey primarily for sale within his local community. His market remained limited, and while he recognized the potential of his enterprise, he lacked the business knowledge, tools and strategic direction to realize that potential. He needed more than the ability to produce good honey; he needed to understand how to grow and manage a sustainable business.

That opportunity came through Tukuze Hub, a Hustler Fund initiative supporting borrowers with good repayment records to strengthen and grow their enterprises.

Through Tukuze Hub, David is receiving tailored business development and advisory support from Strathmore University, AEDH to equip him with practical business skills and the knowledge to scale and unlock additional business growth opportunities.

For David, the support came through personalised business advisory provided by Africa Economic Development Hub (AEDH) at Strathmore University Business School, using the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) model.

Rather than simply attending a training session and returning home, David began working closely with a business advisor to examine his enterprise, understand its challenges and identify opportunities he had not fully explored. Together, they started developing a business growth plan, looking at how he could improve operations, reach more customers and build a more sustainable enterprise.

One area would prove particularly important: digital marketing.

Through the advisory process, he began learning how social media could help him showcase his products and connect with a wider audience. He has since started his own TikTok account (@mweigabeehub),  taking his first steps into digital marketing to promote Mweiga Bee Hub. Through the platform, David is showcasing his honey products, beehives and farm experiences, introducing his enterprise to potential customers beyond his immediate community.

For someone who began beekeeping as a retirement venture, embracing TikTok represents more than learning a new technology. It reflects his willingness to adapt, experiment, and find new ways of doing business.

His enterprise is also growing beyond honey production. David is diversifying his income opportunities through the sale of beehives and hosting farm visits, allowing customers to experience beekeeping farming while creating additional revenue streams for the business. As he strengthens his marketing and explores new opportunities, he is positioning Mweiga Bee Hub for greater market reach and long-term sustainability.

Yet, perhaps the most meaningful change is not just what is happening to the business, but what is changing in David himself. He is gaining confidence in making business decisions, embracing digital tools and becoming more deliberate about planning for growth. He is beginning to see Mweiga Bee Hub not simply as an activity to keep him occupied in retirement, but as an enterprise with the potential to create lasting economic value.

And for David, that future is deeply personal and replete with possibilities.

He envisions Mweiga Bee Hub as a legacy business that will continue beyond his lifetime. His granddaughter, currently in Grade 10, is already taking an interest in the enterprise, and he hopes that one day she will take over and carry the business forward. What began as a search for purpose in retirement is clearly and gradually becoming an opportunity to build an entity for the next generation.

Through Tukuze Hub, AEDH is bringing business development expertise closer to entrepreneurs like David, providing tailored advisory support that support MSMEs understand their businesses, strengthen their operations and pursue new growth opportunities.

David encourages other aspiring entrepreneurs to remain patient, embrace learning and never be afraid to try something new.

His story is a reminder that entrepreneurship has no age limit. Sometimes, a new beginning arrives when we least expect it, and with the right knowledge, guidance, and support, a small enterprise can grow into a thriving business and, ultimately, a lasting legacy.

About Tukuze Hub

Tukuze Hub is a pilot initiative spearheaded by the Financial Inclusion Fund to support top-performing Hustler Fund borrowers with good loan repayment records to grow their businesses through tailored Business Development Support (BDS).

The initiative is supported by Strathmore University, through the Africa Economic Development Hub (AEDH) and Strathmore Energy Research Center (SERC), and the Africa Management Institute (AMI) to provide one-on-one business advisory and training to businesses  across three pilot counties: Nyeri, Mombasa, and Uasin Gishu.

Through this support, entrepreneurs are equipped with practical skills and knowledge to enable their businesses unlock growth opportunities and become sustainable.

 Article by Jane Daniel Mumo