By Mᴀʀʏ Mᴡᴇɴᴅᴇ
As Kenya joins the rest of the world in marking Labour Day, it is a chance to pause and recognize the people who keep industries moving, and none more so than ours. For the flower industry, this is a reminder of the people who hold this industry together, often quietly, away from the spotlight.
Behind every rose, carnation, or alstroemeria that leaves a farm, there is a team of dedicated men and women making it happen. The pickers who walk row after row in the early hours. The graders whose sharp eyes catch the smallest imperfections. The sprayers who ensure crop protection. The packhouse teams who race against time to get shipments out. The managers and supervisors, not forgetting drivers, storekeepers, and support staff whose names may not appear in reports but whose work is written into every successful export.
Labour Day reminds us that, while the story of Kenya’s flower sector is told in numbers and markets, it is lived by people. The determination, commitment, and resilience of farm workers are what have kept this industry competitive, even when times have been tough.
As we mark this day, it is worth reflecting on what it means to truly value our teams. Beyond wages and contracts, it is about safe working spaces, fair treatment, and creating room for growth. It is about acknowledging that the future of our industry is directly tied to the well-being of those who power it.
To every person who works on a flower farm, thank you. Your contribution matters. Your effort moves this industry forward. And your work deserves to be recognized not just on Labour Day, but Every day.
Happy Labour Day to all!