Exploitation and Inequality in Naivasha Flower Farms, Kenya

Naivasha in Kenya, known for its lake and hippos, has become famous for its flower farms. Oserian was the first flower farm established in 1982, and now Naivasha hosts over 50 of Kenya's 120 flower farms. Kenya is the third largest exporter of cut flowers globally, with 40% of Europe's roses coming from here.

Workers at the flower farms in Naivasha face long hours, low pay, and harsh conditions. Kenyan workers earn as little as $55 a month while multinational flower farms make millions annually. This disparity leads to high levels of poverty and illiteracy among the workers.

Karaturi, once the world's largest multinational flower farm, faced allegations of sexual harassment and tax evasion. Workers reported instances of having to engage in sexual favors for employment. The company was found to have evaded millions of dollars in taxes, leading to its closure.

Karaturi engaged in a complex tax evasion scheme involving multiple companies. The scheme involved selling flowers at low prices to a company in Dubai, which then sold them at higher prices globally. This allowed Karaturi to declare losses in Kenya, shift profits to Dubai, and evade taxes using international shell companies.

The investigation reveals a widening wealth gap between developing and developed countries due to immoral and unfair practices by multinational companies. The evasion of taxes by companies like Karaturi deprives the Kenyan people of benefits and perpetuates injustice.

People were devastated after losing their jobs at Karaturi in Kenya. The closure of the school led to children being out of school. The lack of salary for that month left individuals with very little money. This situation resulted in a wave of suicides within a few days, including a tragic incident where a young lady with children hanged herself.

Karaturi's abrupt closure in Kenya led to severe consequences. The owner disappeared, leaving the government unable to hold him accountable for outstanding bills. Despite this, in 2019, the Ethiopian government engaged in negotiations with Karaturi to grant them 1000 hectares of land for farming, showcasing the company's ability to exploit different countries with the same exploitative model.

The speaker highlights the perpetuation of neocolonialism through international financial systems that allow Global North multinationals to exploit cheap labor in the Global South. This exploitation is facilitated by outdated laws and political systems, enabling companies like Karaturi to profit from African contexts at the expense of local communities.

The neocolonial system in Kenya destroys local production, exports jobs abroad, and perpetuates a cycle of subjugation. Kenyan people are either forced into almost free labor or relegated to mere consumers, perpetuating a system akin to modern-day slavery. The dominance of foreign-owned flower farms in Kenya further exacerbates this exploitation.

The ownership and profit structures of Kenyan flower farms, particularly those connected to multinational companies, are shrouded in complexity. Many farms, including Dutch-owned ones, operate in a web of interconnected companies, making it challenging to discern ownership and profit distribution. This lack of transparency often leads to detrimental consequences for Kenyan workers.

Kenyan flower farm workers face significant challenges, including security concerns that prevent them from speaking out about workplace issues. The fear of losing their jobs hinders workers from addressing problems like torn gloves. The acquisition of Oserian by Bohemian resulted in a drastic salary reduction for workers, highlighting the vulnerability of laborers in the flower industry.

Kongoni River Farm Limited, owned by Veg Pro, which in turn is owned by Flower Exchange based in Dubai with a Dutch owner. Flower Exchange also owns Floral Delight, Uhuru, and Big Flowers. All these Kenyan farms are ultimately owned by the same multinational, totaling 250 hectares across seven farms.

Workers at the flower farms are coerced into lying about working conditions. They are instructed to only say positive things when questioned by 'visitors' to the farm, under the threat of negative consequences if they speak ill of the company.

Despite flourishing flower farms in Naivasha, worker conditions remain poor, profits are underdeclared, and trade misinvoicing persists. This business model, similar to Karaturi, continues to impact other flower farms negatively.

Aggressive tax practices by multinationals drain resources from Kenya, affecting infrastructure development like highways, hospitals, and schools. This leads to debt crises and impacts every level of society, denying Kenyans essential services and resources.

Former Karaturi workers are still waiting for unpaid severance money. One worker, with 20 years of service, faced health issues due to exposure to chemicals at the farm. Private healthcare saved his life, contrasting with inadequate treatment at the company clinic.

Doctors in Naivasha, many of whom are current or former employees of flower farms, witness numerous respiratory and other health issues among workers. Workers suffer from asthma, skin conditions, eye infections, bronchitis, and pneumonia, with some fainting due to the harsh working conditions.

Employees at the flower farm faced pressure from management to downplay injuries like broken arms to avoid excessive sick leave. The lack of protective gear during chemical spraying led to health issues such as fainting, dizziness, and exposure to harmful chemicals without proper disclosure of their effects.

The flower farm workers were exposed to harmful chemicals without proper information as the chemicals were labeled with 'XX' instead of their real names. This practice violated national and international laws on chemical disclosure and endangered the health of workers.

Studies conducted around the lake area revealed concerning levels of banned pesticides like DDT, Endosulfan, and Aldrin in the environment. The presence of these chemicals, illegal for use in the country, poses a significant risk to both the ecosystem and human health.

Despite being banned, certain chemicals were repackaged under different trade names to circumvent regulations. The speaker faced threats for exposing these practices, highlighting the dangerous influence of agrochemical companies and the need for stricter enforcement of regulations.

The speaker, Gladys Boss Shollei, highlighted the collusion between the Pest Products Control Board, agrochemical companies, and politicians in allowing the sale of banned pesticides in Kenya. This corruption has led to severe health issues in the population, including cancer, kidney failure, and respiratory problems.

Booker Ngesa recounts his bitter experience working with flower companies, where he discovered corrupt practices. He mentions how company officials seek contacts within the government to bypass regulations, highlighting the levels of corruption involved in the industry.

Fisherman Benson describes finding dead fish near flower farms due to illegal chemical dumping. He expresses concern over dwindling fish populations and sizes, attributing it to chemical contamination from the farms.

Benson reports authorities' lack of action on investigating chemical contamination in the lake, suggesting corruption may be involved. He recalls being threatened when raising concerns, indicating a cover-up of illegal chemical use.

The flower farms use harmful chemicals initially but switch to organic pesticides before export to Europe to meet import regulations. This practice reflects the exploitation of African resources for Western markets, disregarding the health impacts on workers and the environment.

The speaker worked at a flower farm where the job was not well-paying and the conditions were challenging. They often went without food and lunch, leading to health issues like headaches and weight loss from 75kg to 50kg. Many female workers faced reproductive problems, with a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction and difficulties in getting pregnant or experiencing miscarriages.

Female workers at flower farms experienced a much higher rate of reproductive problems compared to the general population. The speaker struggled for six years to get pregnant, faced miscarriages, and was told by a doctor that her blood circulation had many chemicals. Despite medication, she continued to face challenges, eventually losing a child due to exposure to chemicals used in the farm.

After working at flower farms for eight years and experiencing a miscarriage, the speaker decided to leave the farm. They sought guidance from their pastor, who suggested becoming an assistant pastor. Eventually, the speaker started pastoring a small church, where they found fulfillment and a new direction in life.

The speaker transitioned to selling fruits in the market, enjoying the freedom of managing their own time and earning more without exposure to harmful chemicals. They found the new venture financially rewarding, making five times more than before and expressing joy in their work.

The speaker became a community volunteer to advocate for the issues faced by their community, especially in the area of environmental and labor concerns. They aim to be a voice for the community, leveraging their experience to support and uplift others, receiving support from friends and community members for their efforts.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of creating environments in Global South farms that are conducive for workers to thrive without exploitation. They advocate for fair practices that prevent profit repatriation, ensuring that profits remain in the communities where they are generated, similar to how a rose flower blooms in the best environments.