Commercial Horticulture in Kenya: Adapting to Water Scarcity

Like other countries in East Africa, Kenya faces seasonal water shortages that make it important to use and distribute water in an optimal way. One of Kenya’s biggest water users is its growing commercial horticulture sector, which exports fruits, vegetables, and especially flowers to Europe and elsewhere. Economically, the sector is a big success: it is Kenya’s second largest foreign exchange earner and a major employer. In 2014, for example, the horticulture sector contributed EUR 1.7 billion to the economy, with 42% of the profits coming from exports. Neighbouring countries in East Africa have sought to emulate this model. But its economic benefits must be weighed carefully against relevant social and environmental risks, including competition over precious water.