By Murimi Gitari September 13, 2025, The Kenya Flower Council (KFC) hosted the second edition of the Pinnacle Sustainability Awards in one of the hotels in Nairobi, spotlighting the floriculture sector’s strides in sustainability, innovation, and community impact.
The Awards, hosted by the KFC, are a landmark initiative recognizing excellence in sustainable floriculture.
As the first industry-led sustainability awards in Kenya’s floriculture sector, the Pinnacle Awards have become a benchmark for excellence. Since the 1990s, Kenyan floriculture has grown into a global powerhouse—now the world’s fourth-largest exporter of cut flowers, commanding 6.4% of the global market. The sector contributes 1.25% to Kenya’s GDP and supports over 2 million livelihoods.
This year’s awards introduced a participatory nomination process, allowing KFC members to submit their own farms and organizations for recognition. The shift fostered transparency, peer learning, and sector-wide benchmarking.
A standout achievement in Kenya’s floriculture sector has been the widespread adoption of the Flowers and Ornamentals Sustainability Standard (FOSS), a globally recognized code of practice that has elevated sustainability across the industry. Since its implementation, 92% of member farms have embraced Integrated Pest Management techniques, 85% have installed efficient irrigation systems to conserve water, and more than 60% now rely on renewable energy sources—marking a significant shift toward environmentally responsible production.
The 2025 Pinnacle Sustainability Awards brought together a vibrant cross-section of Kenya’s floriculture industry, featuring nine distinct award categories and drawing 42 participants from 11 counties. Among them were 39 producer members and three associate members, with 23 finalists advancing to the final stage of the competition—highlighting the sector’s widespread engagement and growing commitment to sustainable excellence.
Mr. Filippo Amato, the First Counsellor & Head of Trade Section, European Union Delegation, who was the chief guest, commended the industry’s role as a force for good. He commended the nominees and winners tonight, stating they are the pride of the industry. “You are the ambassadors of Kenya’s commitment to sustainability. You are not only producing beautiful flowers that brighten homes across Europe, but you are also demonstrating that business can be a force for good, creating jobs, investing in communities, and protecting the environment for future generations.”
In his address, KFC’s Chief Executive Officer Clement Tulezi outlined a confident vision for navigating the sector’s future, stating: “Climate change, regulatory shifts, logistics disruptions, and global competition continue to shape the future of our industry. But with innovation, unity, and vision, I believe we will not only survive but thrive. Our goal remains clear: to make Kenya the world’s most sustainable, competitive, and trusted source of high-quality flowers.”
Highlighting the collective advancement of the industry, KFC Board Chair Chris Kulei said, “your commitment to showcasing your sustainability journeys is a testament to the progress we are making as a sector… You are the reason these Awards exist — to recognize and amplify the work being done on the ground every single day.” He framed the awards as a direct reflection of the sector’s growing commitment, affirming that this progress ‘is a testament to the progress we are making as a sector.
The nine distinct categories of the awards were each designed to spotlight key areas of sustainable excellence within Kenya’s floriculture sector. The Golden Bloom Award honored farms that demonstrated overall leadership in sustainability across different operational scales. The Most Efficient Constructed Wetland category evaluated innovative water treatment systems that enhance environmental protection. Best Sustainable Packaging recognized efforts to reduce waste and improve eco-friendly materials in flower distribution.
Soil Health Management celebrated practices that preserve and enrich soil fertility, while the Employee Welfare Programs category acknowledged farms that prioritize fair labor practices, safety, and staff well-being. Organic Waste Management focused on effective recycling and composting strategies to minimize environmental impact. The Best Community Partnership Program highlighted initiatives that build strong, mutually beneficial relationships with surrounding communities.
The Sustainability Excellence Award recognized farms with outstanding, holistic sustainability performance, and the Innovation Award celebrated cutting-edge solutions that advance the sector’s future. Finally, the Young Growers Award encouraged and honored emerging talent driving the next generation of sustainable floriculture.
The Pinnacle Sustainability Golden Bloom Award recognized three outstanding farms across different scales. Timaflor Limited received the top honor in the large-scale category, Kariki Ltd KR Farm in Juja was awarded in the medium-scale category, and Jangwani Roses PLC took the prize for the small-scale category.
In the category of Most Efficient Constructed Wetland, Kisima Farm Limited emerged as the winner. Kariki Ltd KN Farm in Naivasha was named first runner-up, while Carzan Flowers (K) Limited ST Farm in Rongai secured the second runner-up position.
Red Lands Roses SEZ PLC won the award for Best Sustainable Packaging, standing out as the sole honoree in this category.
For Best Soil Health Management, Tambuzi Limited claimed the top spot. Carzan Flowers (K) Limited ST Farm in Rongai was the first runner-up, followed by Flamingo Horticulture Kenya Mt Kenya as the second runner-up.
Nini Limited was recognized for Best Employee Welfare Programs. Kariki Ltd BT Farm in Nanyuki earned the first runner-up position, and Red Lands Roses SEZ PLC was named second runner-up.
In the category of Best Organic Waste Management, Carzan Flowers (K) Limited ST Farm in Rongai won the award. Equinox Horticulture Limited was the first runner-up, and Flamingo Horticulture Kenya Mt Kenya took the second runner-up position.
Kisima Farm Limited won the award for Best Community Partnership Program. Syngenta Kenya was the first runner-up, and Kariki Ltd BT Farm in Nanyuki was recognized as the second runner-up.
Flamingo Horticulture (K) Limited – Kingfisher Farm received the Sustainability Excellence Award. Rainforest Farmlands Kenya PLC was the first runner-up, and Sian Flowers – Maasai Flowers (K) Limited was the second runner-up.
Sian Flowers – Maasai Flowers (K) Limited also won the Innovation Award. Rift Valley Roses (K) Limited was the first runner-up, and Syngenta Kenya, along with Cuttings Limited, were recognized as second runners-up.
Finally, the Young Growers Award was presented to Benev Flora Limited. Rift Valley Roses (K) Limited was the first runner-up, and Kariki Ltd KN Farm in Naivasha was named second runner-up.
