Aquila Flower Farm:
"Kenya: "We have nothing to hide"
On Kenyan news website The Star, an article was published last Monday reporting that two Kenyan flower farms in Nakuru County have been accused by their employees in a petition for poor remuneration, sexual harassment and handling of harmful chemicals. The two farms mentioned in the article are Homegrown Flamingo Holdings Flower Farm and Aquilla Flower Farm. However, according to the management of Aquilla Flower Farm, the situation outlined in the article is fictive and not based on facts.
"One example that shows that article is not aware of the regulations for flower farms is the fact that it states that there is a policy that the greenhouse should remain sealed for 30 days after each chemical spray. This is not the standard. No farm can work if no one can enter the greenhouse for 30 days after spraying," responds the management of Aquila Flower Farm.
"We are a very open business and we are proud of what we are doing. Everyone can come to the farm talk to us and our employees to get the facts. We have nothing to hide.Moreover, we are KFC (Kenya Flower Council), MPS and Fairtrade certified. Every year, we are being audited by each of these certification organizations."
The Aquilla management regrets that this has been published in the news. "They are spreading rumors which gives a bad name to businesses in Kenya. But fortunately, everyone, including our employees, are aware of the news and of the inaccuracies, and are laughing at it. We all know it is not true."