Science & Tech · Science & Environment · 12 hrs ago
Kenyan flower growers prepare for a powerful El Niño
Kenyan flower growers are preparing for a possible powerful El Niño that could intensify the region’s October-to-December rainy season.
The weather pattern is expected to bring heavier and longer rains across East Africa than usual.
Kenya supplies about one-third of the flowers imported by the European Union.
At a large rose farm near Eldoret, workers have reinforced greenhouses and improved drainage to limit damage.
As of October 29, only a few showers had fallen, later than expected, leaving the farm uncertain about what conditions to prepare for.
The growers are on standby as they wait to see whether the rains arrive and how severe they become.
Kenyan flower growers are preparing for a potentially exceptionally powerful El Niño expected to intensify East Africa’s October-to-December rainy season.
At a rose farm near Eldoret, workers have reinforced greenhouses, improved drainage and stocked up on replacement tarpaulins and rainwear.
The farm’s director said the uncertainty over whether and when El Niño would arrive was causing stress.
The preparations have been under way since early September, while the farm waited for heavier rains.
- Who
- Kenyan flower growers, including Sian Flowers.
- What
- They are preparing for a potentially powerful El Niño that could bring heavier and longer rains.
- When
- In the final quarter of 2026; preparations at the farm began in early September.
- Where
- Kenya, including a Sian Flowers rose farm near Eldoret.
- Why
- El Niño is expected to intensify East Africa’s October-to-December rainy season.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sian Flowers began preparing its nearly 600 employees and 40 hectares of facilities.
Site director Nehemiah Kangogo described the farm as being on standby amid uncertainty about El Niño.
Le Monde published its report on Kenyan growers’ preparations.
- Farm workforce
- Nearly 600 employees
- Farm area
- 40 hectares
- Farm location
- Eldoret, western Kenya
- Expected rainy season
- October to December
- Flower imports
- Kenya supplies a third of the flowers imported into the European Union
What people are saying
Is this El Niño coming? Is it not coming? What should we expect? We are on standby. It is a lot of stress.