A publication by Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency
Madaraka Day: A moment of pride for Kenya
Madaraka Day stands as one of the most important holidays in Kenya’s national calendar. Attaining 62 years of self-rule marks an important milestone in the country’s history. It symbolizes over six decades of growth, challenges and achievements as an independent nation.
This milestone provides an opportunity to reflect on the legacy of those who fought for independence and the path Kenya has taken toward realizing the vision of a selfsustaining, united, and prosperous nation. Reflections on the progress made and the challenges ahead are heard in homes, churches, offices, and schools across the nation.
While those who fought for independence are revered, the 62-year mark is also a moment to acknowledge and appreciate every Kenyan for their contribution towards a prosperous nation. Each of Kenya’s presidents has played a distinct role in shaping the country’s political, economic, and social landscape contributing to Kenya’s transformation.
The late president Jomo Kenyatta promoted national unity under the slogan “Harambee”. He used it to encourage collective development, urging communities to come together to build schools, health centers, roads, and water systems. It instilled a sense of shared responsibility and patriotism across ethnic and regional lines.
Both late presidents Daniel Arap Moi and Mwai Kibaki made significant contributions to Kenya’s education sector. Many Kenyans today are literate and skilled, thanks to reforms in education. Both late presidents made education a pathway out of poverty and into the middle class for millions of Kenyans. Today, Kenya is an economic and technological powerhouse in Africa due to its strengthened academic institutions.
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Madaraka Day: A moment of pride for Kenya
Strengthening Flower Exports: Certification, Compliance and Collaboration
Experience Kenya at Expo 2025: A vibrant journey of flavor, music and culture
Princess Aiko Visits Kenya Pavilion at Expo Osaka Kansai
Kenya showcases its best at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan
KEPROBA Champions Made in Kenya at Madaraka Day 2025 Exhibition in Homa Bay.
Maureen Mambo- Editor -inChief
Mariam Maina - Editor
CONTRIBUTORS
Mariam maina
Molly Wambui
Irene Van De Graa
Jonah Karanja
Gertrude Mirobi
Samuel Njaaga - Layout
Former president Uhuru Kenyatta’s huduma center initiative brought government services closer to the people. It empowered citizens, especially the youth and entrepreneurs, by bringing government to their fingertips. Citizens can apply for documents such as passports and identification cards from anywhere and get it in a few days, saving time and money.
The current president, his excellency Dr. William Ruto, focuses on his bottom-up economic transformation agenda that seeks to empower Kenyans in small businesses and the informal sector. In his speech in Homa Bay County during the 2025 Madaraka celebration, he said “sugar production surged from 490 thousand metric tons in 2023 to 815 thousand metric tons in 2024 enabling us to reduce sugar import by 70% while increasing farmers earnings from 50 billion to 90 billion”. These gains are evidence of financial empowerment.
Kenya’s journey of transformation isn’t just a story of presidents and policies. It is also a story of ordinary people doing extraordinary things every day. Kenyans in the diaspora inject billions of shillings annually into the country’s economy, supporting education, healthcare, and investments through remittances.
Being Kenyan means belonging to a nation that celebrates its past, embraces its diversity, and looks forward to a future of continued growth. It’s a proud moment to be Kenyan because of the collective spirit, achievements, and the unwavering hope, whether it’s a mother selling vegetables, a national administrator formulating policies, a youth coding in a cybercafé, or a community planting trees to save a river, all Kenyan citizens are the heartbeat of national progress.
Strengthening Flower Exports: Certification, Compliance and Collaboration
By Tiffany Kerigo
Kenya is among the top five flower-exporting countries worldwide. The country specializes in roses (over 70% of exports), carnations, and summer flowers. Kenya’s floriculture industry is a key pillar of the country’s export economy. It contributes about 1% of Kenya’s GDP, generating over $1 billion annually. Approximately 100,000 people get employment from export of flowers with an estimate of 2 million jobs being supported by this industry. It is now at a crossroad facing stricter EU regulations, with a zero-tolerance policy on False Codling Moth (FCM) threatening market access.
False Codling Moth
Thaumatotibia leucotreta, commonly known as false codling moth (FCM), attacks more than 70 host plants, many of them horticultural crops. They also attack macadamia, cotton, tea and a wide range of wild plants. However, this pest is particularly problematic for roses. In recent years, consignments of roses from Kenya to Europe have been intercepted due to the presence of FCM. The detection within a consignment of a single living individual of FCM at any stage of development leads to rejection of an entire consignment. This is because the European Commission (EC) includes FCM on its list of harmful organisms recommended for regulation as quarantine pests (Annex II of EU 2019/2072) to prevent its introduction into Europe, where it could attack a range of outdoor and glasshouse crops. Kenya faces a defining challenge whereby it has to adapt and comply or risk losing its most lucrative market.
Consequences of non-compliance
There are severe consequences to failing to comply with the Eu’s policy and the stakes for Kenya are very high.
Suspension or blacklisting of Kenyan exporters. If interceptions persist, the EU has the authority to suspend import permits or, more seriously, issue a ban on all flower shipments from Kenya. Once this happens, regaining access requires extensive auditing and lengthy bureaucratic processes that can take months if not years.
Escalated inspections and rejections. When shipments are flagged as high risk, border inspections are more frequent and intense, increasing the likelihood of delays at entry points. Rejected consignments are often destroyed or returned with the freight cost falling on the shoulders of exporters which creates a ripple effect of loss of client trust and financial strain.
Losing market access to the EU and UK would not only shrink foreign exchange earnings but also put thousands of livelihoods at risk. Entire communities that depend on the flower industry could be plunged into economic uncertainties.
Compliance measures
At the heart of compliance is implementing Integrated Pest Management strategies (IPM). IPM is a science based, environmentally sensitive approach that combines multiple tactics to keep pest populations below damaging levels. It includes:
Regular pest scouting and early detection.
Use of traps and biological controls to target pests like FCM Rational use of pesticides
Good agricultural practices such as pruning and sanitation to reduce pest breeding grounds.
IPM helps reduce the risk of FCM presence before inspections even begin, making it the first line of defense.
Strengthening pre- export inspections and monitoring at farms. Exporters can no longer rely solely on last-minute inspections. There must be ongoing monitoring at the farm level with quality assurance systems that mirror what regulatory agencies look for
which includes daily field inspections for any signs of FCM, recording pest incidence data for traceability and conducting internal audits and running mock inspection.
Enhancing Cold Chain Logistics
Temperature control is a powerful compliance tool. Studies show that maintaining cold temperatures during transport reduces the survival rate of pests like FCM, preserves the physiological quality of flowers, making inspections easier and more predictable. It also minimizes rejections caused by decay or contamination.
ORGANIZATIONS
Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services
It is a Kenyan government parastatal responsible for ensuring the quality of agricultural inputs and produce. KEPHIS was established in 1996 through Legal Notice No. 305 and operates under the State Corporations Act.
It is at the core of this compliance framework. Their mandate covers all things phytosanitary from field inspections and pest risk analysis to certification and port clearance. Every rose, every bouquet must meet EU phytosanitary standards before it ever leaves Kenyan soil. It plays a crucial role in facilitating the export of flowers from Kenya by ensuring plant health and compliance with international standards. They issue phytosanitary certificates to confirm that flower shipments are free from pests and diseases, meeting the requirements of importing countries. KEPHIS also provides training, capacity building, and regulatory frameworks to support the floriculture industry.
They conduct pest risk analysis to identify which pests pose the highest risk to export markets, how they move,
reproduce and spread in different flower varieties and recommend management strategies to minimize the risks posed.
Once a high- risk pest is identified, they roll out Pest Risk Management protocols which identifies phytosanitary measures that reduce the risk to an acceptable level. For example, proactive strategies to prevent and manage infestations, including monitoring, cultural practices, and potentially biological or chemical control methods. This includes regular inspections of flowers, implementing sanitation practices, and using pheromone traps to monitor and manage FCM populations.
KEPHIS inspectors verify that flowers are handled under clean and pestfree condition, packaging materials meet phytosanitary requirements and storage conditions are up to standard. KEPHIS has specific authorization that was developed in consultation with the EU for managing FCMs in roses. It outlines:
How farms must monitor and report FCM presence
Specific treatment protocols like pre-harvest sprays and sanitation
Inspection and reporting intervals
Documentation standards required at export
It is tailored so due to the export volume and pest attraction of roses which means they need a higher level of scrutiny and care to remain eligible for EU market entry.
Kenya Bureau of Standards
It is a government agency in Kenya responsible for ensuring the quality and safety of goods and services. It was established in 1974 to promote standardization and conformity assessment. Their role is to make sure that Kenyan flowers look the part and meet international expectations
because product quality and compliance go together.
Good agricultural practices in flower farming are crucial for high quality products and meeting international market demands which they emphasize. Global GAP certification is required for export to the EU and high-end markets.
KEBS ensures Kenyan flower exports align with international standards both in presentation and packaging. Their role is especially critical in export quality certification where it enforces quality standards related to size, color, freshness and uniformity.
It ensures packaging materials are non- contaminating, recyclable where needed, clearly labeled, don’t crack on bending or creasing. The aim is to assist buyers of these boxes in getting the right box to guide the manufacturing process. The faces of the box shall not contain visible defects like tears, punctures of holes. They ensure the corrugated board don’t warp or bulge.
The labeling requirement for corrugated fiber board is that it includes;
Manufacturers’ name and physical address
Month and year of manufacturer
Combined grammage
Country of manufacture or origin
Batch number/ code.
This ensures that the packaging material used is of acceptable quality.
Together, KEPHIS and KEBS form a robust dual system that covers both the health and quality aspects of flower exports.
Kenya Trade Network Agency
Kenya Trade Network Agency (Ken-trade) is a State Corporation under the National Treasury established in in January 2011 to establish, implement and manage the National Electronic Single Window System and to facilitate trade. Kenya Trade Net System is an online platform that serves as a single-entry point for parties involved in international trade and transport logistics to lodge documents electronically, for processing, approvals and to make payments electronically for fees, levies, duties and taxes due to the government, on goods imported or exported in the country.
Ken-trade brings a vital layer of efficiency, transparency, and error reduction to the compliance. This reduces Paperwork delays, Manual errors and Miscommunication between agencies. It also enables faster coordination between KEPHIS, KEBS, Customs, and even logistics providers—making export operations smoother and more transparent.
One of Trade Net’s most powerful features is its real-time tracking and notification system, which helps exporters:
· Monitor application status – Know exactly where documents are in the approval pipeline.
· Receive instant alerts – Get notified if a certificate is missing, expired, or requires corrections.
· Proactively resolve issues – Fix discrepancies before shipments are flagged at the destination.
A single missing document can lead to EU border rejections, resulting in financial losses, spoiled cargo, and damaged reputation. With Trade Net, exporters can anticipate and resolve compliance issues early, ensuring smooth customs clearance.
Ken Trade’s systems provide access to market intelligence and trade analysis, helping exporters align with dynamic regulatory requirements from the EU/UK.
Together, KEBS and Ken-trade bridge the gap between plant health and full-scale trade compliance. Their work ensures that Kenyan flowers don’t just survive inspections they succeed in competitive markets. But none of this works if the documentation is slow, error-ridden, or lost in bureaucracy.
As global trade becomes more digitized, Kenyan exporters who leverage Ken Trade’s systems will have a clear advantage—turning compliance from a hurdle into a strategic strength.
Conclusion
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the government has adopted the Systems Approach, an EU-approved regulatory method, to eliminate FCM from Kenyan flower exports. The ministry has submitted its FCM Systems Approach Protocol to the EU, along with supporting evidence from production sites.
Additionally, 134 flower farms have been approved, each assigned a unique traceability code to ensure adherence to EU standards. The ministry has also trained 849 industry personnel and 475 agro-attendants in pest management.
“We want to assure the EU that Kenya is fully committed to compliance. With the measures in place, we will ensure no FCM is ever detected in our flowers again,” a ministry official stated according to Capital FM Business (march 25th). Exporters, regulators and support agencies need to work together to protect the country’s access to markets and her reputation in international trade system.
Kenya Week at Expo 2025 Osaka; Showcasing the Best of Kenya
By Molly Wambui: MWambui@brand.ke
In the 21st century, world exhibitions are one of the most important meeting opportunities for the global community. They provide a platform to connect businesses, governments, and international partners and citizens to achieve a common goal that will yield collective benefits.
World Expos are unique opportunities for advancing the international image of the participating countries. Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan officially opened on 13th April 2025 and will run for a period of six months up to 13th October 2025. The theme of the Expo is Designing Future Society for Our Lives.
The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency is coordinating Kenya’s participation in the expo. Kenya has organized the Kenya Week Celebrations which will be held from 21st to 24th June 2025. Expo 2025 Osaka
presents a golden opportunity to strengthen and improve Kenya’s national brand within the global community.
Several activities have been lined up during the week-long celebrations to showcase the best of Kenya. There shall be a diaspora Networking Dinner on the twenty-first of June. The event aims to honour the Kenyans living in Japan and the Far East for their efforts to promote the Kenya brand. It is estimated that there at least five thousand Kenyans currently living in the far east.
Kenya is renowned for producing the best runners in the world. Some well-known Kenyan runners include Eliud Kipchoge, David Rudisha, Vivian Cheruiyot, Kipchoge Keino, Paul Tergat, and Ezekiel Kemboi. A Kenya run, dubbed Run with the champions shall be held on the twentysecond of June at the expo grounds. This event is intended
to position Kenya as the global trendsetter in athletics. Several record-breaking Kenyn athletes will be in attendance, so this event is guaranteed to be a crowd puller.
Japan is a significant trade partner for Kenya. In 2023, Kenya exported products worth ¥12 billion to Japan. The top export products to Japan are Tea, Coffee, nuts and cut flowers. There exists a lot of potential to strengthen trade between the two countries. On the twenty-third of June, a Kenya-Japan High level Business Forum shall be held to showcase the existing opportunities in trade, investment and tourism that could influence foreign direct investment in Kenya. During this event, exhibition space will be availed to allow the Kenyan exporters to showcase their products and engage in B2B meetings as well as matchmaking meetings.
National Days and Special Days by the participating countries at Expo 2025 Osaka allow visitors to feel the excitement of interacting with new countries and promote international goodwill. The Kenya National Day of Honour shall be on the twenty-fourth of June. The event aims to create visibility for the Country and position Kenya as a preferred trade partner and destination of choice for investments and tourism. On this day, cultural performances shall be staged to promote the country’s unique culture and to add colour to the event. It is an event that is not to be missed.
Princess Aiko Visits Kenya Pavilion at Expo Osaka Kansai
Her Imperial Highness Princess Aiko, the eldest daughter of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan, graced the Kenya Pavilion at the ongoing World Exposition 2025 in Osaka with a historic visit on Friday, May 9, 2025. Running from April 13 to October 13, 2025, the Expo offers a global platform for Kenya to showcase its vibrant trade, tourism and investment opportunities as well as its rich cultural heritage.
Princess Aiko’s visit, marked by warm hospitality and meaningful cultural exchange, garnered exclusive media attention for the Kenya Pavilion, amplifying the country’s visibility at the international event. Unlike her other visits to pavilions, the Kenya Pavilion at Commons A attracted full media coverage during Princess Aiko’s tour, garnering significant international publicity. This exclusive exposure reinforced Kenya’s strong presence at Expo 2025 and is expected to enhance global awareness of its products, tourism offerings, and investment potential.
Located in the Commons A Pavilion, the Kenya Pavilion welcomed Her Imperial Highness with a ceremonial reception led by Pavilion Director Mr. Situma Macheso. In his remarks, Mr. Macheso expressed deep honour and gratitude for the princess’s visit, noting that it underscored the strong and enduring ties between Kenya and Japan. He highlighted the pavilion’s core themes: trade, tourism, investment, and culture, while spotlighting Kenya’s worldrenowned exports including tea, coffee, macadamia nuts, and cut flowers such as roses and carnations, which continue to position Kenya as a leading global producer of high-quality goods.
Mr. Macheso also acknowledged the transformative role of Japan’s Overseas Development Aid (ODA) in Kenya’s development journey. He noted that Kenya is among the top beneficiaries of Japanese ODA, which has played a critical role in advancing key infrastructure projects such as the Port of Mombasa, a strategic trade gateway for East and Central Africa. These initiatives, Mr. Macheso emphasized, reflect the depth of Kenya–Japan cooperation and its tangible benefits to Kenyan communities.
A key highlight of the pavilion’s presentation was Kenya’s dynamic tourism sector. The tourism displays featured immersive visuals of Kenya’s national parks, wildlife, and coastal gems, reinforcing the country’s status as a mustvisit destination. Mr. Macheso extended a heartfelt invitation to Japanese visitors, including Princess Aiko, to experience Kenya’s breathtaking natural attractions, particularly the Great Wildebeest Migration.
“Kenya is a top tourism destination,” he noted. “We welcome our Japanese friends to witness the migration season, a global spectacle showcasing our rich biodiversity.”
Princess Aiko also explored Kenya’s rich cultural tapestry, showcased through digital musical instruments representing diverse Kenyan communities, especially those from the coast. A design installation by Afrostreet Kollections, a celebrated Kenyan creative, fused traditional and contemporary artistry, earning admiration from visitors and highlighting the creativity and diversity of Kenyan culture.
A standout moment was Princess Aiko’s participation in a tea-tasting session, a rare and symbolic gesture given her customary avoidance of food and drinks during public events. She sampled Kenya’s premium Earl Grey tea, praising its rich aroma and flavour.
Mr. Macheso shared that Kenya is the world’s largest producer of black tea and a major contributor to blends such as Lipton’s English Breakfast, popular in markets like the United Kingdom, where Kenyan tea is blended with varieties from Sri Lanka and India. Princess Aiko, familiar with Kenya’s tea reputation in the UK, expressed delight in tasting it directly at the source.
Princess Aiko’s visit marked a milestone in Kenya–Japan relations, symbolizing mutual respect and growing collaboration. Her engagement with the pavilion’s displays and her tea-tasting moment served as powerful symbols of the cultural and economic bridges being strengthened at the Expo. Mr. Macheso expressed optimism that this landmark visit would spark deeper Japanese interest in Kenya’s trade, tourism, and investment sectors.
As World Exposition 2025 continues, the Kenya Pavilion remains a vibrant hub of innovation and culture, inviting global visitors to experience the best of Kenya. Princess Aiko’s visit has not only elevated Kenya’s international profile but also deepened the bonds of friendship between Nairobi and Tokyo, paving the way for enhanced cooperation in the years to come.
Kenya Pavilion director, Situma Macheso, shows Princess Aiko some outfits from Afrostreet Kollections, a celebrated Kenyan fashion designer.
KEPROBA Champions Made in Kenya at Madaraka Day 2025 Exhibition in Homa Bay.
By Irene Van De Graaf - irenev@brand.ke
As part of the build-up to the national Madaraka Day celebrations held on June 1, 2025, in Homa Bay County, the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) took part in the Thematic Exhibition and Thematic Week Summit from May 28 to 30 at Tom Mboya University. The event, which attracted a wide range of participants including government agencies, county governments and private sector actors, was held under the overarching theme “Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs,” aligning with this year’s national focus on harnessing the potential of Kenya’s aquatic resources to create jobs, build livelihoods, and promote inclusive growth.
KEPROBA’s presence at this key national event marked a significant step in promoting Kenyan innovation, sustainability, and economic empowerment through the lens of the Made in Kenya initiative. The Agency’s exhibition space featured a curated selection of local enterprises that have adopted the Made in Kenya mark, offering products that reflect Kenya’s creativity, resourcefulness, and potential for global competitiveness. These enterprises, working across various value chains, from natural skincare and sustainable fashion to agro-processing and eco-conscious innovation, demonstrated how locally driven solutions can meet modern consumer needs while embracing ethical and environmentally sustainable practices.
Through this platform, KEPROBA reinforced its role in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises to scale their market presence, create local jobs, and showcase Kenya’s manufacturing capabilities. The Agency facilitated engagement between its adoptees and potential buyers, government officials, policy influencers, and development partners. These interactions provided valuable feedback on
market needs, highlighted export readiness requirements, and opened doors for future collaboration. KEPROBA’s stand drew significant interest, serving as a practical showcase of how well-positioned Kenyan products are to meet evolving consumer demands locally and internationally.
Among the enterprises showcased at KEPROBA’s stand was EcoFix Kenya Ltd, a pioneering company based in Nanyuki that has commercialized the indigenous Croton megalocarpus tree through a zero-waste model, producing biofuel, organic fertilizers, and livestock feed. Also present was Nea by Nature, a natural skincare brand using the same indigenous tree to develop inclusive and eco-conscious products. Mit Mit, a health-focused enterprise, exhibited a range of innovative products including sugarcane juice, ginger powder, hibiscus tea, sugarcane blocks, and readyto-eat omena, showcasing Kenya’s agricultural diversity and entrepreneurial spirit. Azurri Designs, a fashion brand creating leather and denim accessories from upcycled materials, demonstrated how the creative industry is embracing sustainable production while promoting local craftsmanship.
Through the Made in Kenya initiative, we are showcasing the creativity and resilience of Kenyan enterprises while driving inclusive growth and sustainable economic transformation
The KEPROBA exhibition stand at the Madaraka Day 2025 Thematic Exhibition in Homa Bay
These enterprises exemplify the goals of the Made in Kenya initiative, which include promoting sustainability, increasing value addition, and supporting national development.
The exhibition culminated in a visit by H.E. President William Samoei Ruto and Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, who toured the grounds and interacted with stakeholders participating in the thematic showcase. During his address at the Summit— which ran concurrently with the exhibition and brought together policymakers, industry leaders, academia, and civil society—President Ruto emphasized the importance of investing in marine infrastructure, promoting sustainable fishing practices, empowering fishing communities, and driving innovation through policy alignment. His remarks reaffirmed the government’s commitment to unlocking the potential of the blue economy as a catalyst for inclusive growth and long-term economic transformation, themes that were consistently echoed throughout the event.
KEPROBA’s participation in the event also supported its ongoing citizen engagement strategy, leveraging national platforms like Madaraka Day to connect directly with consumers, partners, and local communities. Through strategic storytelling and communication, the Agency continues to raise awareness of the Made in Kenya mark and its long-term benefits, including enterprise growth, job creation, and enhanced national pride. In Homa Bay, this narrative resonated strongly with both attendees and exhibitors, many of whom expressed appreciation for the visibility and validation that came with being part of a national showcase.
As the country advances its development priorities, the insights and connections generated during this year’s Madaraka Day exhibition will inform future efforts aimed at accelerating Kenya’s export agenda. KEPROBA remains committed to nurturing a vibrant manufacturing ecosystem that reflects Kenya’s identity, resilience, and ambition. The Agency will continue to provide the support needed for local enterprises to thrive, not just within Kenya but in global markets as well.
Mr. Henry Ndegwa of KEPROBA providing Trade Advisory services to a client at the KEPROBA stand during the Madaraka Day 2025 thematic exhibition in Homa Bay county
Clients interacting with Made In Kenya adoptees at the Madaraka Day 2025 thematic exhibition in Homa Bay county
Ms. Tanya Ireri, Chief Designer of Azurri Designs interacting with clients at the Madaraka Day 2025 thematic exhibition in Homa Bay county
Mr. Dennis Itumbi, Head of presidential special projects and chair of the thematic committee interacting with Made in Kenya adoptees at the KEPROBA stand at the Madaraka Day 2025 thematic exhibition at Tom Mboya University, Homabay
One of the MIK adoptees, Ms. Tanya Ireri of Azurri Designs showcasing at the Madaraka day 2025 thematic exhibition at Tom Mboya University, Homabay
Made In Kenya adoptee – Azurri Designs
Made In Kenya Adoptee – Mit Mit CEO exhibiting at the Madaraka day 2025 thematic exhibition at Tom Mboya University, Homabay
Made In Kenya Adoptee – Mit Mit
Ms. Mary Nafula of Nea by Nature exhibiting at the KEPROBA stand during the Madaraka Day 2025 thematic exhibition at Tom Mboya University, Homabay
Made In Kenya adoptee – Nea by Nature
Made In Kenya Adoptee – EcoFix (K) showcasing at the Madaraka day 2025 thematic exhibition at Tom Mboya University, Homabay
