Flower production in Kenya continues to scoop the country billions of shillings in revenue every year for big investors, as small investors in the industry also eke out a good living from the sale of flowers and ornamental plants for decoration locally.
Meet Virginia Wanjiru, the Kericho-based flower lady who has been spreading joy and beauty with her vibrant, fresh decorative plants, spectacularly displayed at the entrance of the Green Square Mall in Kericho town, attracting the attention of passersby.
The middle-aged florist shared her entrepreneurial journey with the Kenya News Agency, saying she resigned from the hospitality industry in Dubai to venture into flower farming, which she learned about and gained knowledge about during her stint abroad.
“I really admired how ornamental plants, especially flowers, were arranged and designed at the five-star hotel I was employed at in Dubai, and that is when my love for floristry was ignited,” said Wanjiru.
Wanjiru’s variety of ornamental plants and flowers for both outdoor and indoor decorations include the popular snake plant, fiber optic glass plant, silver nerve plant, string of pearls, peace lily, Chinese money plant, air plant, water bamboo, bonsai, and bunny ear cactus, among others.
“I have a good ear to spot unique plants and flowers, and I get my collections from places I visit, then I grow them on my farm and reproduce them for sale at my display and sale centers both in Kericho and Nakuru,” said Wanjiru.
The knowledge she exudes as she explains the variety of collections speaks volumes about how passionate she is about the beautiful ornamental indoor and outdoor houseplants.
“These ornamental plants are exactly what radiate beauty to dull and boring spaces dramatically with their attractive aesthetics and also add life to the decor,” Wanjiru stresses.
She intimates that her passion has also earned her a good living since she has been able to educate her children and fend for many other needs of her family through floristry.
“I am also an expert in landscaping and both exterior and interior décor, which is an added advantage that also supplements my earnings,” Wanjiru remarked.
The florist, however, mentioned that she grapples with challenges such as inadequate space, theft of the decorative plants, and at times a shortage of water for irrigation of the flowers.
“Whoever would want to start this business can do it because all one needs is to collect the ornamental plants and grow them in their gardens on a small scale, so the starting capital for this business is very minimal.”
“God willing, in the near future I would like to purchase a big field so that I can expand this business. I also need to invest in larger ceramic and plastic pots, which are very beautiful but need a bigger space,” said Wanjiru.
By Kibe Mburu and Melvine Chepngetich
