16: 04: 2026
By Masila Kanyingi
As a mature professional, aggressive and ambitious, constantly in motion chasing opportunity, I often return to a line by Zig Ziglar: money is not everything, but it ranks right up there with oxygen. In the flower industry, that sentiment feels less like philosophy and more like daily.
reality.
In a world driven by ambition, success metrics and material aspirations, conversations around money often spark both admiration and discomfort. While many insist that wealth should not define happiness, practical realities frequently suggest otherwise. It is within this delicate balance that some of the most enduring life lessons emerge. In floriculture, those lessons are not abstract. They are lived daily in greenhouses, packhouses and cargo sheds. I was reminded of this in a recent conversation with an investor weighing whether to establish operations in Kenya or Ethiopia, a decision shaped less by sentiment and more by numbers.
Floriculture is a business of precision and margins. Behind every perfect stem lies a chain of costs energy, freight, labour and compliance and for foreign investors eyeing Kenya, those costs are becoming harder to ignore. While Kenya remains a global powerhouse in flower exports, the conversation in boardrooms is shifting from growth to sustainability.
Across the border, Ethiopia presents a compelling contrast. Lower energy costs, government backed incentives and streamlined logistics make it an increasingly attractive destination for investment. From greenhouse to cargo hold, the journey is simply cheaper and more predictable. For investors, that difference is measurable in every shipment and every balance sheet.
Yet Kenya’s story is not one of decline, but of tension. The country still offers unmatched expertise, established infrastructure and a reputation for premium blooms. But rising fuel prices, logistics bottlenecks and regulatory pressures are quietly reshaping competitiveness.
In this balance between passion and profit, Ziglar’s words echo again. Money may not be everything, but in floriculture, it determines whether farms expand, stagnate or quietly move elsewhere.