Lonely Valentine’s for many Kenyans amid tough economic times, climate crisis
The businessmen and women say Climate change has also greatly impacted the production of flowers making the quality vary from the previous years, especially for Rose flowers.
Tough economic times and the rise in the cost of farm production have led to the difference being experienced in the 2025 Valentine’s Day.
A spot check in the flower market in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) of how sales are ongoing and a talk with the flower business owners reveals this.
The businessmen and women say climate change has also greatly impacted the production of flowers making the quality vary from the previous years, especially for Rose flowers.
“The cost of input to ensure you harvest good flowers is high compared to 2024 and the previous years. You see that even the rose flowers today are few and not as good as it has been,” Immaculate Mwaniki explains.
“Climate change is also an issue for the farmers in Naivasha, Timau, and all the areas that produce flowers. You’ll think it won’t rain then when it does lots of flowers are destroyed. That has impacted us. As late as last week, we were struggling to get the supply, especially for today because the sale is always high,” She adds.
She states that all those factors are what have led to the increase in price compared to last year.
“We were selling a bunch of flowers at even Sh500 last year. Today with the cost of living being high, the cost of production increasing and the climate change being experienced; we are selling at Sh500,” She stated.
Kenyans explain that they are torn between buying flowers for their loved one and catering for their bills as others say they have to treat their loved ones as it happens once a year.
“Things are tough for us this year. The sales are low. Kenyans are not showing up to buy flowers for their loved ones,” James Njoroge a flower vendor at City Market states.
“What shall we do with this economy that the price of everything is too high? Will you buy flowers or you pay for the bills?” Simon Mugambi questions.
“Valentine’s Day comes only once a year. I have to treat my wife well and that is why I have got some wine, flowers, and a bar of chocolate to share with her when I leave town in the evening. I have to treat her well. She is the love of my life,” David Onyango says.
Youths around the city market laugh jokingly that matters in love are tough and girls have decided to treat themselves.
“Things are tough today and I have seen some girls buy flowers for themselves,” Owino jokes.
