Naivasha based flower growers sign cess agreement with County Government

After a two year wait, Nakuru County government in Kenya has finally entered an agreement with flower farmers based within the county on the payment of cess.

The agreement which was signed between the Nakuru County Government and Lake Naivasha Growers Group (LNGG) will see the farmers pay an annual amount of 20 cents for every kilogram produced. The growers have also agreed to clear the two year debt. 

During a ceremony held recently to officially seal the deal, Nakuru County Governor Kinuthia Mbuthia was handed a cheque worth slightly over 90,000 euros from the flower growers’ association to offset the two year debt.

The governor said his government did not want to overburden the group with more taxes as they were already paying 48 different fees. He added that his government was engaging other flower farms to start paying cess to the county to improve service delivery.

"We have agreed with the Lake Naivasha Growers Group that it will collect the cess on behalf of the county on quarterly basis from its members," he said.

LNGG Chairman Richard Fox said 22 of the more than 70 flower farms in the county had agreed to pay cess to the county government.
 

The Naivasha region which lies in Nakuru County is known internationally for its large horticulture sector which is the largest in Kenya.  It is estimated that over 65% of the roses exported to the EU markets come from Naivasha and that the sector in Naivasha employs over 30,000 people directly.