How a volcano eruption in Iceland has crippled Kenya
on A Serendipitous Journey (Kenya), 22/Apr/2010 07:46, 34 days ago
When a volcano in southern Iceland erupted, grounding thousands of flights to and from Europe, it didn’t initially cross my mind that it would have a significant effect on the Kenyan economy. However since its eruption, Kenya’s flower, aviation and tourism industries have lost a whopping KES 1.6 billion! (Cdn$22.9 million)With tourists from all over Europe stranded in their home countries, the tourism industry in Kenya is suffering an estimated KES 77 million loss each day. (2) Flower farmers in Naivasha have destroyed more than 8 million stems of roses since the eruption (3), not even to mention tropical fruit and other produce exports which are spoiling awaiting transport to the airport. (And given this is considered as an‘act of God’ farmers will expect little to no support from their insurance companies.) Even Kenya’s treasured marathon runners earlier this week were stranded prior to the London marathon and plotting a ground route.This is just another example of just how interconnected our lives and economies have become.(1) (2) (3) The Standard. Wed Apr 21, 2010.“Kenya loses Sh1.6 billion over grounded airplanes."