The Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET), a multi-agency grouping that brings together private and government entities to coordinate the transformation agenda of the industry, has lauded President Uhuru Kenyatta for handing its chairman the Uzalendo Award.
Mr Bimal Kantaria, the co-chair of ASNET, led the ‘Flowers of Hope’ initiative, which involved mobilising flowers from growers through the Kenya Flower Council to be distributed by Rotary International to hospitals in Kenya and abroad, in particular in the UK.
The flowers were being harvested and discarded but the move saw them bring cheer to Covid-19 patients and frontline workers.
President Kenyatta added a message of hope on the flowers delivered, which read in part, “Whatever the adversity, no matter the foe, we shall triumph together. We stand united. Tuko pamoja. From Kenya with love.”
Mr Kantaria, who is also the managing director of agro-inputs firm Elgon Kenya, was among the 66 Uzalendo awardees recognised by President Kenyatta on Madaraka Day for their efforts during the pandemic.
“We are grateful for the award. The agriculture industry has once again been recognised locally for spreading hope and smiles among the Covid-19 front-line workers and patients here and abroad, an indication of the importance of a sector that has given Kenya a global profile,” he said.
