The lives of more than 3,000 people came to a standstill when the Flower farm shut its doors in May 2015 after being placed under receivership over accrued debt.
Where a multibillion flower empire once stood now stands a vast weed-infested farm under the cover of dilapidated greenhouses along the Moi South Lake Road in Naivasha.
According to the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) chairman, Nakuru County chapter Kamau Njuguna, the government does not show enough support to businesses. He says the government has failed to support such business ventures leading to their collapse.
“Three years ago I made headlines when I tried to tell the government to take control of the situation,” Njuguna quips.
The ripple effect of the closure of the farm is massive. Kenya Power admitted to losing out financially as the largest flower farm could not pay their electricity bills, commercial banks as well could not recover loans from the already fallen farm, Kenyans who had leased out their land were not paid their dues either and worst of all, over 3,000 people lost their jobs, which led to others in the community losing their revenue stream as well.
