Today, the industry is in turmoil, threatening to tear off the lustre that brought the country Sh113 billion in 2018 and indirectly employed more than 500,000 people. Last week, Finlays Kenya said it would close its two flower farms in Kericho County by Christmas, citing stiff competition and the increasing cost of doing business. The development dampened the hopes of 2,000 employees and industry players, who say the effects will be devastating to the local economy. Last year, a CNN report hailed Kenya’s flowers as some of the best in the world, describing with relish the “boldest shades of roses, from a glossy red to a bright yellow and even a vivid pink”. The report attributed the country’s flower power to Kenya’s sunny climate, which enables high quality blossoms to be grown all year round without the need for expensive greenhouses, and the country’s “excellent transport links to Europe, and from there, the rest of the world”. Today, the industry is in turmoil, threatening to tear off the lustre that brought the country Sh113 billion in 2018 and indirectly employed more than 500,000 people. Last week, Finlays Kenya said it would close its two flower farms in Kericho County by Christmas, citing stiff competition and the increasing cost of doing business. DECREASING DEMAND Finlays General Manager Stephen Scott cited decreasing demand in the European market, staggering labour costs, unfavourable weather conditions and weakening exchange rates as the reasons for closing the farms. “It is no secret that in the last 18 months, the flower industry has been facing severe challenges. As a result, the directors have made the decision to close Chemirei and Tarakwet farms earlier than initially communicated,” Mr Scott said. The company had planned to close them down next year. The development dampened the hopes of 2,000 employees and industry players, who say the effects will be devastating to the local economy. “I don’t know how that area will look like in eight months or a year later. The shops, the schools and the people there. It is not merely the question of numbers laid off,” said […]
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