Trees have long been regarded as a reliable investment, with demand for seedlings and ornamental plants continuing to rise in homes, institutions, and urban centres across the country.
Yet, despite the growing appetite for landscaping and environmental conservation, the tree nursery business remains largely underexploited, offering untapped opportunities for thousands of Kenyans seeking sustainable livelihoods.
In the lakeside city of Kisumu, one entrepreneur has quietly built a successful business from this growing demand. For close to two decades, 48-year-old Alfred Mahonga has nurtured a thriving tree nursery business that now supports his family and provides greenery to homes and commercial spaces across the region.
Situated along one of the city’s busy streets, Mahonga’s nursery stands out with rows of ornamental trees, flowers and seedlings carefully arranged under his watchful eye. His journey into the business, however, began modestly.
Mahonga told KNA he first worked under another nursery owner where he was employed to manage and care for seedlings. Through the experience, he developed skills in handling plants and later decided to establish his own nursery business.
Over the years, he has steadily expanded his stock to include a variety of trees and flowers such as palm trees, eugenia, azaleas and other ornamental plants that are increasingly popular among homeowners and institutions seeking to beautify their surroundings.
According to Mahonga, the business requires patience and consistency. He buys young seedlings from the Kenya Forest Service and other suppliers at about Sh30 each before nurturing them to maturity. Once fully grown, the trees retail at approximately Sh300 depending on the variety and level of maintenance required.
He notes that caring for the seedlings involves daily watering, pruning and close monitoring to ensure healthy growth, factors that contribute to the final selling price.
Demand for seedlings is often highest during the rainy season when many people take advantage of favourable weather conditions to plant trees and flowers. During peak periods, Mahonga says he can make up to Sh5,000 in a single day, income that enables him to sustain his business and meet family expenses.
His day begins long before sunrise. Mahonga says he reports to work at around 5.00am, a routine he has maintained for years.
Before venturing fully into the nursery business, he worked at a public park in Kisumu where he was tasked with cleaning duties that had to be completed by 6.30am each morning. The discipline he developed during that period, he says, continues to shape his work ethic today. He normally closes the nursery at around 5.30pm.
Like many small-scale entrepreneurs, Mahonga has also faced significant challenges in running the business. He recalls a period when theft posed a major threat due to poor lighting in the area, leading to losses of seedlings and equipment.
However, improved security lighting and the hiring of a guard to patrol the nursery have significantly reduced such incidents.
Weather conditions also remain a major concern. Excessive heat and heavy rainfall can damage seedlings and interfere with plant growth, sometimes resulting in losses.
Despite the challenges, Mahonga says the business remains rewarding because it has enabled him to provide for his family while pursuing a passion he enjoys.
He is now encouraging more Kenyans to embrace tree planting and landscaping, saying the practice not only beautifies the environment but also creates employment and income-generating opportunities.
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