The Kenya Flower Council (KFC) fully supports the decision by the French Agency for Food, Environmental, and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) to investigate pesticide exposure among floriculture professionals.
This initiative represents a critical step toward highlighting the progress, sustainability efforts, and transformative investments already achieved by Kenya’s floriculture industry.
Since its establishment in 1996, the KFC has been in the forefront of championing Kenyan flowers and setting globally recognized sustainability standards. As a fully independent organization, our mission is to deliver value to our members through compliance, advocacy, innovation, and communication.
Today, nearly 130 farms, encompassing all Kenyan flower-exporting operations, are certified under either the KFC Silver Standard or Fairtrade, ensuring adherence to stringent sustainability and social responsibility requirements. While MPS certification is not mandatory, its requirements are embedded within KFC’s framework, ensuring comprehensive coverage of best practices in agriculture, sustainability, and worker welfare. The strength of KFC Silver Certification is demonstrated in its position in the Basket of Standards of the EU-based Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI).
Over the past 15 years, Kenya’s floriculture industry has undergone a remarkable transformation. Major investments have been directed at improving worker conditions, protecting the environment, and ensuring long-term sustainability. While KFC has focused its resources on producer-oriented initiatives, we acknowledge that more must be done to communicate these strides on the global stage.
The Kenyan floriculture industry is a cornerstone of our economy, directly employing over 200,000 people, supporting one million others indirectly, and sustaining the livelihoods of approximately 4 million individuals—the majority of whom are women. In a country with an unemployment rate of 40%, the sector’s socio-economic impact cannot be overstated.
The recommendations resulting from the ANSES study will mark an important milestone for the global flower industry. Kenya is eager to play a leading role in the move toward greater transparency and higher environmental and social standards, as these align with the values and ambitions of our industry.
We also emphasize the critical role that logistics providers, wholesalers, and retailers must play in this journey. Florists, as the trusted link between growers and consumers, are uniquely positioned to champion sustainable flowers and enhance public confidence in the cut flower sector. Strengthening this trust is not just beneficial—it is essential for the continued success of the industry.
Kenya remains committed to demonstrating that its flowers are not only beautiful, but also responsibly grown and ethically produced. We look forward to engaging with ANSES, industry stakeholders, and policymakers to ensure the findings of this study lead to meaningful, actionable outcomes for all.
For the Kenya Flower Council,
Clement Tulezi
CEO, KFC
For more information:
Call / WhatsApp: +254-110-098-196
Email: kfc@kenyaflowercouncil.org / ljamwa@kenyaflowercouncil.org