Kenyans are facing significantly higher prices for roses this Valentine's Day, with a bouquet of 10 red roses now costing up to Sh2,000, compared to Sh500 last year. This sharp increase is due to high international demand, which is diverting most of Kenya's quality roses to export markets.

• A 100-stem bouquet can cost up to Sh15,000, making romantic gestures unaffordable for many.
• According to Clement Tulezi, CEO of the Kenya Flower Council, the local shortage is driven by "exceptionally high demand in international markets," with growers selling "almost everything" abroad.
• During the Valentine's season, Kenya's flower exports surge by about 35 percent, from 60 million stems to over 90 million stems daily, primarily between January 15 and February 10.
• Many local florists, like Zippora Wachira, report that even non-red roses are scarce and expensive, forcing them to pass increased costs to customers and leading to widespread frustration among buyers like Brian Kamau, who struggled to find roses for his fiancée.