This archive report was first published on 25 October 2021.
Kenya's floriculture industry, a major contributor to the country's foreign exchange earnings, is facing unprecedented challenges. The industry, which employs thousands of people directly and indirectly, is struggling to stay afloat amidst rising costs, punitive taxes, and lack of government support.
According to the Kenya Flower Council (KFC), several flower farms have closed down in recent years, including Magana, Harvest, James Finlay, and Karuturi. Oserian farm has scaled down its operations, while others have resorted to outsourcing services, leading to significant job losses.
Council Chief Executive Clement Tulezi attributed the challenges facing the industry to the lack of support from the government. 'We have seen sectors like tea, sugar, and coffee get tax waivers from the government, but in the floriculture sector, we are forgotten despite the billions of shillings we bring in every year,' he said.
Tulezi noted that the issue of double taxation was resolved after they won two cases in Nakuru and Meru law courts. However, the Kenya Plantation and Agricultural Workers Union (KPAWU) accused some farms of casualisation of labour, which had seen more workers put on contracts.
According to KPAWU Secretary-General Naivasha Branch Ferdinand Juma, the move had raised fear and anxiety among the workers. 'There is a crisis in the flower farms, and we are calling on the national government to address the issues raised by the farmers to save thousands of jobs,' he said.
Published on October 25, 2021.
