Winged Termites: A Delicacy that comes with short rains in western Kenya

Eldoret, Kenya
December 15, 2025 4:33am CST
Short rains in western Kenya are often accompanied by swarms of flying termites which come from ant hills or flat underground ant nests. The same happened this week and we used many ways to trap them. They are a fatty delicacy that can be eaten raw or fried. We eat them with cornflour soft cakes commonly called "Ugali" Some communities around here do not eat them as they say they cannot feed on insects. Have you ever eaten flying termites?
2 people like this
4 responses
@JudyEv (367408)
• Rockingham, Australia
15 Dec
Not many Western people would eat insects but it's really all about what you're used to.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (367408)
• Rockingham, Australia
16 Dec
@SIDIKIMPOLE It's good to be a bit adventurous when it comes to food. We might all need to be eating insects one day.
1 person likes this
• Eldoret, Kenya
16 Dec
@JudyEv I definitely agree with you. Still it is good to be cautious because some people can be allergic to some food types.
1 person likes this
• Eldoret, Kenya
15 Dec
That is true. But I also believe they can taste other cultures foods if given a chance
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52260)
15 Dec
I don't think I could eat insects. Not ever. I would prefer to just be a complete vegetarian rather than eat bugs. Nope, nope.
1 person likes this
• Eldoret, Kenya
16 Dec
Lol, they are such a delicacy! Taste like most sea foods like shrimps and prawns.
1 person likes this
• Eldoret, Kenya
16 Dec
@MarieCoyle Lol. I know they are not good neighbours; they can be really destructive - on furniture, crops and even houses
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (52260)
16 Dec
@SIDIKIMPOLE I know that it sounds weird, but to me, they are invasive bugs that eat wood and hurt structures. If they all disappeared, it would be fine with many people. Here, most homes have to be treated for termites so that they will not arrive to chew up the wood in the frames of the houses. And...they are bugs. I know bugs are a part of life, but I don't like swarms of bugs, and I know that unless I am starving, I don't want to eat them!
1 person likes this
@May2k8 (19453)
• Indonesia
15 Dec
I never eat it except some people in the villages where they say that these termites contain a lot of protein.
1 person likes this
• Eldoret, Kenya
15 Dec
Sure, they contain a lot of proteins and healthy fats. Great to know Indonesians too consume them!!
1 person likes this
@Rimps85 (2865)
• India
15 Dec
that sounds odd to me...but I am sure, those who consume it might find it delicious...you could have posted a picture of those termites
1 person likes this
• Eldoret, Kenya
15 Dec
Well here it is - the picture i mean.
@Rimps85 (2865)
• India
15 Dec
@SIDIKIMPOLE I see...
1 person likes this
• Eldoret, Kenya
16 Dec
@Rimps85 See how fatty they are?