Kenya Flower Council honors sustainability leaders at annual awards

KENYA – The Kenya Flower Council (KFC) hosted the second edition of the Pinnacle Sustainability Awards at the Ole Sereni, Emara, in Nairobi, bringing together industry leaders, growers, and partners to celebrate progress in sustainable flower production.

The awards come at a time when Kenyan floriculture continues to hold a strong position globally. Since the 1990s, the country has built itself into the world’s fourth-largest exporter of cut flowers, now controlling 6.4 percent of the global market.

The sector employs about 200,000 people directly and supports nearly 2 million more indirectly. Its contribution to the economy is notable, accounting for 1.25 percent of national GDP and up to 3 percent when horticulture is included.

This year’s ceremony introduced a new approach. Members nominated their own farms and organizations in categories where they had made the most impact. According to KFC, the structure was designed to promote transparency, learning, and peer comparisons across the industry.

A key driver of progress has been the Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standard (FOSS), which guides farms on social, environmental, and economic practices.

KFC reported that 92 percent of member farms now rely on Integrated Pest Management, 85 percent have adopted efficient irrigation systems, and more than 60 percent use renewable energy.

The 2025 awards featured nine categories with 42 participants from 11 counties. Of these, 23 reached the final stage. Timaflor Limited won the Golden Bloom Award in the large-scale category, Kariki Ltd KR Farm–Juja in the medium-scale category, and Jangwani Roses PLC in the small-scale category.

Other winners included Kisima Farm Limited for Most Efficient Constructed Wetland, Red Lands Roses SEZ PLC for Best Sustainable Packaging, and Tambuzi Limited for Best Soil Health Management.

Nini Limited took the award for Best Employee Welfare Programs, while Flamingo Horticulture’s Kingfisher Farm won the Sustainability Excellence Award.

Voices from the event

KFC Chief Executive Officer Clement Tulezi said the sector must keep adapting to change. “We cannot ignore climate change, regulatory shifts, logistics disruptions, and global competition,” he stated.

“We must continue to innovate and work together if Kenya is to remain a reliable and sustainable source of flowers.”

Board Chair Chris Kulei, also Director of Sian Flowers, praised the collective efforts of growers. “The commitment of our members to sustainability is the reason these awards exist. They are here to recognize and amplify the work being done on the ground,” he said.

European Union First Counsellor Filippo Amato, speaking on behalf of the EU Delegation, called the winners “ambassadors of Kenya’s commitment to responsible production.”

He added, “This industry is not only about flowers. It is about creating jobs, investing in communities, and protecting the environment while serving international markets.”

With the second Pinnacle Awards now concluded, the floriculture sector has again signaled its focus on sustainability and its role in shaping Kenya’s economic future.

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