“Tambuzi is an ethically run business with one simple goal – to produce the very finest garden scented roses that money can buy. Tambuzi has a range of over 50 carefully selected varieties of roses – each one chosen for their exceptional colour, scent and shape.

“In the mid 1990s, Tim and Maggie Hobbs – a young and dynamic couple with Kenyan roots, came across a beautiful, derelict farm on the foot hills of Mount Kenya only miles from the equator. The 64 hectare farm, originally a dairy and beef farm, was up for sale and with its perfect conditions for growing roses the Hobbs bought and developed it into what it is today: a specialist supplier of traditional garden scented roses- the only one in Kenya.”

“Tambuzi has linked up with the Waitrose Foundation in South Africa, Kenya and Ghana. The Foundation dedicates a percentage of profits to specific projects, selected by farm workers through an elected workers committee. Projects are diverse, but one of the most exciting ones which Tambuzi is piloting is the introduction of solar lighting to rural homesteads.

“The scheme, although still new, has transformed the lives of many living in Burguret, who until recently relied on kerosene – an expensive and unsustainable fuel. The new scheme involves a pack of four lights which are connected by long cables enabling an entire home to be fully lit up. Although solar energy is clearly the best option as it involves no running costs, the initial investment is unaffordable for the majority of rural Kenyans. The funds received through the Waitrose Foundation, subsidise the cost of the solar lights by 40%. The balance is paid off by the farm worker over a period of time, with the monthly amount being less than what the worker pays for kerosine. A win-win situation. We are frequently assessed by the Kenya Flower Council.”