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Octoflow Kenya Blooms on the Global Stage, Eyes European Expansion
Coca-Cola and Easy Coach Create Personalized Journeys for Gen Z
Government Declares War on Fake Academic Certificates as EACC Reveals 549 Cases Under Probe.
Church, State Unite to Deliver 20,000 Beds to Prisons by Year-End
Raff Military Textile: Forging Partnerships for African Security at SYSDEF 2025
RESA Commends Topcare Land Investments
Shadrack Nyakoe
- March 18, 2025
Student Leaders call for Inclusion in African Union Programmes
Patmoz
- February 17, 2025
Prioritize Quality Healthcare, Civil Society Urges Government
- February 14, 2025
Nairobi Joins Elite List of Must-Visit Cities in 2024
- February 3, 2025
By Dennis Muritu
Octoflow Kenya, a dynamic flower marketing company, is making strides in the international floral market, with a strong presence in Australia and Japan and a renewed focus on expanding its European footprint.
Co-directed by Gertrude Jennifer Musembi and Matthew, the company distinguishes itself not as a farm or grower, but as a crucial intermediary connecting Kenyan flower producers with a diverse global clientele.
“We are a flower marketing company,” stated Gertrude Jennifer Musembi, clarifying Octoflow Kenya’s unique position in the industry. “We are not a farm, grower, or breeder. We are in between; our clients have the flowers, and we sell them to an international market.”
While Octoflow Kenya boasts a robust presence in distant markets like Australia and Japan, including various regions within Australia, and a burgeoning interest in China and Russia, the company is now making a concerted effort to deepen its engagement with Europe.
“Initially, we had stepped back a bit from Europe, but now we are doing Europe,” Musembi explained. “Just a week ago, our Kenyan team embarked on a trip around Europe to visit our customers in Portugal, Spain, France, Germany, and Switzerland—basically all of Europe.”
African Market and Unique Varieties
When asked about venturing into the African market, Musembi noted the continent’s primary role as a producer.
“Africa? Not really, because most of Africa is producers,” she said.
However, she highlighted South Africa as their sole consistent African market, primarily for events.
“At times, for events, we do have Ghana and a bit of West African countries,” she added, emphasizing that Kenya’s unique flower varieties set them apart. “Kenya has really unique varieties, only comparable to South America.”
She also acknowledged the emergence of Uganda and Rwanda as growing producers.
Beyond Roses: Diversification is Key
Octoflow Kenya, and the Kenyan flower industry at large, are actively diversifying beyond their traditional focus on roses.
“We have all kinds of roses—garden roses, spray roses, many varieties,” Musembi affirmed. “And now, more and more, Kenya is venturing out of being not just roses.”
She pointed to the increasing presence of summer flowers at industry shows, a significant shift for a company that “used to basically deal with just roses.”
This diversification is seen as a positive step for the industry’s growth, as it addresses the challenge of widespread rose production globally.
Eyeing Growth and New Partnerships at the Expo
Participating in the current expo, Octoflow Kenya is eager to capitalize on the increased visitor turnout.
“From this year’s expo, we hope to get a bit more exposure, get more customers,” Musembi shared. “Today we heard the CEO say that we have a third more visitors than last year.”
Despite the significant investment required for small companies to exhibit, the exposure to international buyers is invaluable, especially amidst challenges like freight costs and levies.
“Even two new clients is a big deal for us,” she emphasized.
Organic Growth and Personalized Service
Looking ahead three years, Musimbi envisions continued but mindful growth for Octoflow Kenya.
“Growing bigger, we hope,” she stated. “Our Kenyan team has now grown to a team of 12.”
” The company aims to expand its markets and operations without sacrificing its core values. “We want to grow but not so much that we lose our main core focus,” Musembi articulated, highlighting the company’s family-like team dynamic and commitment to personalized customer service. “Everyone can sell flowers, but we want to give very personalized service to our customers. So we want to grow organically so that we just grow as much as we can handle.”
In a heartwarming twist to Kenya’s Madaraka Day celebrations, Coca-Cola has partnered with Easy Coach to deliver unforgettable travel moments to passengers across Western Kenya and Kampala.
This innovative collaboration brought the brand’s beloved “Share a Coke” campaign to life in a deeply personal way by printing passengers’ names on Coke cans and calling them out at bus stations.
Launched in April, the 2025 edition of “Share a Coke” is crafted with Gen Z in mind a generation that values authenticity, emotional connection, and unique experiences. The campaign replaces the iconic Coca-Cola logo on bottles and cans with real names of Kenyans, turning each product into an invitation to connect, share, and smile.
This past Madaraka Day weekend, more than 1,000 Easy Coach passengers were surprised with two personalized Coke cans each—one for themselves and one to share. The surprise was delivered right before boarding, and names were called out aloud, evoking laughter, curiosity, and emotional reactions. What started as a simple journey soon transformed into a celebration of identity, unity, and togetherness.
“Hearing my name being called out for a Coke can was such a surprise I felt seen and special,” said one traveler, beaming with joy.
From Nairobi to Kampala, and Mombasa to Kisumu, smiles, stories, and selfies filled the air. At Jambojet check-in counters, passengers flying to Mombasa, Ukunda, Malindi, and Kisumu also received personalized Coke cans, turning ordinary flights into moments of surprise and delight.
The campaign served as more than just a marketing effort—it was a cultural celebration. Personal touches like a name on a can reminded Kenyans of how much they share, no matter their destination.
“Easy Smiles, Easy Coach, and a Name”: Coca-Cola turned simple bus rides into memory-making experiences.
“The Bottle That Broke the Ice”: Personalized Coke cans encouraged strangers to talk, laugh, and connect.
“A Name and a Journey”: Whether by road or air, the campaign emphasized the people you meet along the way—not just the destination.
As Coca-Cola continues to blend digital innovation with in-person experiences, this campaign stood out as a shining example of emotional branding in action. Through the simple act of sharing a Coke, travelers were reminded of their shared heritage, the power of connection, and the joy of hearing their name—loud and clear.
By Njeri Irungu
Kenya’s fight against fake academic certificates took center stage at the Ethics and Integrity Conference 2025, where government officials sounded the alarm on what they described as a growing national crisis. Head of Public Service Felix Koskei delivered a stern warning about the proliferation of falsified qualifications that threaten to undermine the country’s merit-based employment system and damage Kenya’s international reputation.
Standing before stakeholders from government, academia and the private sector, Koskei painted a troubling picture of how forged certificates have infiltrated nearly every sector of public service, from national and county governments to parastatals and independent offices. His concerns were underscored by Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission CEO Abdi Mohamud, who revealed startling statistics – 549 reported cases of certificate forgery since 2022, with 85 files already forwarded for prosecution and 13 convictions secured so far.
The gravity of the situation became even more apparent as Koskei connected the dots between academic fraud and Kenya’s broader development agenda. With youth unemployment hovering at a staggering 67 percent, the prevalence of fake certificates creates an unfair system where qualified graduates lose opportunities to unqualified candidates. This issue takes on added urgency as Kenya positions itself in the international labor market, with the government actively negotiating job opportunities abroad for Kenyan workers.
In response to this crisis, Koskei outlined a comprehensive action plan that includes stricter enforcement of recruitment laws, improved verification systems, and personal accountability for officials who oversee fraudulent hires. Perhaps most significantly, he announced plans to form a special multi-agency task force that will bring together investigators, prosecutors and education officials to streamline the process of identifying and prosecuting certificate fraud.
The EACC’s ongoing efforts to recover salaries obtained through fraudulent means demonstrates the financial toll of this problem. But as both Koskei and Mohamud emphasized, the damage extends far beyond monetary losses – it strikes at the heart of Kenya’s governance systems and international standing.
As the conference continues, participants are expected to develop concrete strategies to safeguard the integrity of Kenya’s education credentials. With the credibility of Kenyan qualifications and the future of the country’s workforce at stake, the message from leadership was clear: the era of tolerance for academic fraud must end, and the time for decisive action has come. The success of this initiative, officials stressed, will require unprecedented cooperation across all sectors of Kenyan society.
By Dennis Muritu
In a powerful show of unity and compassion, the Church and the Government have pledged to work together to provide over 20,000 beds to correctional facilities across the country by the end of the year. The joint initiative aims to ease congestion and improve the dignity of inmates in Kenyan prisons.
Speaking during the official launch of the “He For He” initiative at Nairobi West Prison, Principal Secretary for Correctional Services, Dr. Salome Beacco, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transforming prison conditions through collaboration with stakeholders. She stated that the government plans to deliver the beds in phases, with the target set to be achieved before the end of the year.
“We are committed to ensuring that our prisons are not just places of confinement but centers of dignity and reform,” said PS Beacco. “This partnership is a true example of what we can accomplish when we work together as a nation.”
Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Metropolitan Churches, who also addressed the gathering, lauded the government’s efforts and vowed to rally faith-based organizations to support the cause.
“We must treat all people with dignity, including those behind bars. The Church will continue to mobilize resources and partnerships to ensure prisons are safe, humane, and conducive for transformation,” Archbishop Anyolo said.
The event marks the beginning of a nationwide campaign to support prison reforms through public-private and faith-based partnerships. It reflects the growing recognition that rehabilitation, not punishment, should be the cornerstone of the correctional system.
The spotlight will shine on West Africa’s defense and security sector this May, as Ouagadougou hosts the much-anticipated Salon International de la Défense et de la Sécurité (SYSDEF 2025). From May 8 to 10, industry leaders, government delegations, and security experts will convene in Burkina Faso’s capital, with one name in particular drawing attention: Raff Military Textile.
A cornerstone of Turkey’s defense manufacturing industry, Raff Military Textile brings over eight decades of expertise to the international stage. Since its founding in the 1940s, the company has specialized in military uniforms, protective gear, tactical equipment, and mission-specific apparel designed to meet the demands of modern armed forces. For Africa, where operational environments vary greatly, Raff’s adaptable and climate-conscious solutions have made it a trusted partner.
This year, Raff’s participation in SYSDEF underscores its long-term vision for Africa. More than a supplier, the company has built its reputation through enduring partnerships rooted in mutual respect, sustainability, and knowledge sharing. “We are proud to participate in SYSDEF 2025,” said Eray Yükseloğlu, CEO of Raff Military Textile. “Our aim is to further deepen our strong ties with Africa by offering robust and tailored solutions for local forces.”
The Turkish national pavilion at SYSDEF 2025 will feature some of the country’s most prominent defense giants, including Aselsan, ASFAT, Baykar, Havelsan, MKE, Nurol, Otokar, Roketsan, and Sarsılmaz. Within this high-powered ecosystem, Raff plays a vital role, supplying mission-ready uniforms and tactical gear that form the backbone of operational readiness.
For Raff, SYSDEF 2025 is more than an exhibition—it is a platform to expand its presence in Burkina Faso and neighboring regions. The company is actively pursuing new partnerships aimed at strengthening local defense capabilities. Initiatives include joint projects, technical training, and the transfer of expertise—efforts designed to foster local resilience and autonomy.
One of the major announcements tied to this year’s event is the strategic partnership between Raff Military Textile and Repkon, a leading Turkish defense engineering firm. Together, they are launching a new initiative to export firearms and ammunition systems across Africa. This collaboration merges Repkon’s advanced manufacturing technology with Raff’s operational insight, delivering cutting-edge, field-ready solutions tailored to Africa’s evolving security landscape.
This move signals a bold step forward for Turkey’s growing defense footprint in Africa—beyond textiles and gear, into integrated, next-generation defense technologies. For host nations, it opens the door to reliable, innovative, and strategically aligned partnerships.
As the curtains rise on SYSDEF 2025, Raff Military Textile arrives not just as an exhibitor, but as a committed partner in Africa’s path toward enhanced security, stability, and self-reliance. With a legacy of excellence and a forward-looking strategy, the company is set to reinforce its role as a key player in the continent’s defense future.