Kebs' standards levy a big blow to Kenya's flower industry

Workers packaging flowers at Oserian Flowers in Naivasha. [File, Standard]

Kenyan floriculture industry, a jewel in the country’s agricultural crown, is once again staring down a policy decision that threatens to stifle its growth, erode competitiveness and punish it for its success.

The imposition of the new 2 per cent Standards Levy by the Kenya Bureau of Standards (Kebs), applied uniformly to “manufacturers,” including flower exporters is misguided, disproportionate and economically damaging.