Kenya on the night of Friday, April 24, 2020, sent flowers to London, UK, a symbol of the strong economic ties amid Covid-19.
On Saturday, April 25 the 300 bouquets of flowers were flown aboard a Kenya Airways flight, and received by UK firm Flamingo Limited.
The flowers will reportedly be distributed to persons at the frontline in the fight against Coronavirus in the European nation. These include doctors, nurses, recuperating patients, and care homes.
This will be undertaken under an initiative dubbed Flowers for Hope.
The initiative originated from a committee that was convened by President Uhuru Kenyatta, chaired by Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and was inclusive of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Kenya Airways, and the Kenya Flower Council.
Flamingo Flowers and Elgon Kenya Limited, both members of KEPSA are in the committee.
The bouquets were accompanied by messages of goodwill from the head of state.
"There have been a few moments in history when the world has faced a crisis as far-reaching and consequential as this. It is exactly at moments such as this that we must display our humanity, perseverance and hope.
"Whatever the adversity, no matter the foe, we shall triumph together. We stand united. Tuko Pamoja. From Kenya with love," President Kenyatta's message read.
“Our member, the Kenya Flower Council, has done this to show empathy and this sends a strong message of partnership at a time when many countries are facing difficulty. It is part of our campaign dubbed ‘Flowers of Hope’ informed by the realities brought forth by how the Covid-19 pandemic is impacting world economies,” KEPSA Chief Executive Officer Carol Karuga stated.
President Kenyatta reportedly sanctioned the initiative as a way to celebrate players in the health sector, and support those affected by the pandemic.
The flower industry has been greatly affected following the outbreak of the pandemic, that has since affected most parts of the world.
“Now more than ever we should remain united and resilient. Flowers are therapeutic and are a great way of expressing our appreciation to the gallant men and women working round the clock to take care of the sick. With this campaign, we want to send a message of hope and solidarity to Kenya and the global community even as we work to ensure our brothers and sisters in the flower industry do not lose their jobs during these trying times and our highly acclaimed flower sector remains afloat,” Elgon Kenya Bimal Managing Director Kantaria stated.
The Flowers for Hope initiative has seen several hospitals across the country receive flowers. These include Kenyatta National Hospital, Mbagathi, Pumwani, and Mama Lucy Hospital.