Nairobi: The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry has assured exporters that Kenya’s access to the European Union (EU) market remains uninterrupted following the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) ruling that temporarily suspended the implementation of the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
According to Kenya News Agency, Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui, speaking during a media briefing at the Ministry’s headquarters in Nairobi, addressed the uncertainty within the business community caused by the ruling. He emphasized that the government had already initiated measures to ensure continuity and protect existing commercial arrangements. Kinyanjui underlined the significance of trade as a central pillar of Kenya’s economic growth, with the EPA playing a crucial role in driving exports and employment.
Kinyanjui highlighted the importance of the Kenya-EU EPA as a lifeline for the country’s booming exports and a source of livelihoods for many Kenyans. He explained that the agreement aligns with national development frameworks, including Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), as well as other international initiatives supporting sustainable development. Notably, Kenya exported goods worth USD 1.56 billion to the EU last year, while imports from the EU totaled USD 2.09 billion, making the EU a significant trading bloc for Kenya.
The Cabinet Secretary mentioned that the EPA includes capacity-building support for counties to improve production in fresh produce and manufactured goods, aligning with EU standards. He assured stakeholders that Kenya’s access to EU markets remains intact and that steps are being taken to ensure continuity, predictability, and protection of existing commercial arrangements. The government is committed to reducing uncertainty and maintaining investor confidence during the ongoing legal proceedings.
Kinyanjui revealed that the Ministry, in consultation with the Office of the Attorney-General, had begun the process of challenging the ruling through appropriate appellate mechanisms. He mentioned engagements with EAC partner states regarding Article 37 of the EAC Protocol, which he stated was designed to promote transparency rather than restrict sovereign trade action.
The Cabinet Secretary explained that while the EPA negotiations initially involved all EAC partner states, Kenya signed independently after being the only country ready to move forward at the conclusion of talks. He emphasized that Kenya’s export-oriented economy necessitated decisions that best served the nation, while other partner states were aware of the process and could join when ready.
Kinyanjui reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to protecting national economic interests while respecting regional integration mechanisms. He noted that Kenya adheres to the EAC’s principle of variable geometry, allowing partner states to progress at different speeds without undermining the region’s collective integration agenda.
Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina Ombam, echoed the Ministry’s assurance that Kenya’s trade environment would not be destabilized by actions originating from outside established regional mechanisms. She emphasized Kenya’s commitment to safeguarding its exporters and protecting the livelihoods of thousands of Kenyans whose jobs depend on EU-bound exports.
Ombam questioned the decision by non-state actors to challenge the EPA instead of allowing concerns to be raised through EAC structures by member states. She stressed that Kenya remains a reliable partner in international trade and will continue to uphold its commitments while protecting national interests.
Ombam further emphasized the importance of protecting opportunities beyond the EAC, noting the significant number of Kenyans employed in farms and factories exporting to the EU. She assured that Kenya will do everything possible to safeguard its national economic interests and will continue to engage all stakeholders to streamline trade processes, enhance predictability, and ensure that Kenya remains a competitive and attractive export-oriented economy.
