NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has appointed a team of five Cabinet Secretaries to oversee the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Kenya, the East African Community, and the European Union (EU).
The team will serve on the EPA Council, the highest decision-making body tasked with managing the agreement’s rollout and ensuring its objectives are met.
Investment, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya will co-chair the council, alongside Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Treasury CS John Mbadi, Agriculture CS Andrew Karanja, and Environment CS Adan Duale.
In a statement, Juney Karisa, head of public communications at the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, said the council would oversee key measures aimed at facilitating trade and investments.
“The negotiations include adherence to trade in goods provisions, strengthening supply chain relationships, fostering innovations in trade finance, and advancing trade in green goods and services,” the statement read.
Signed in December 2023 during a ceremony in Nairobi witnessed by President Ruto and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EPA guarantees Kenyan exporters tariff-free access to the EU market.
This opens doors to the 27-member bloc’s €13 trillion economy, creating significant opportunities for Kenyan goods and services.
The council’s responsibilities include establishing various organs to facilitate the agreement, implementing systems for dispute resolution, and promoting sustainable development.
The EU is expected to name its co-chair and council members in the coming weeks.
The trade deal has already been ratified by Kenya’s National Assembly and the European Parliament, marking a milestone in Kenya’s trade relations with the EU and solidifying the country’s position as a key trade partner in the region.
The team will serve on the EPA Council, the highest decision-making body tasked with managing the agreement’s rollout and ensuring its objectives are met.
Investment, Trade, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya will co-chair the council, alongside Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Treasury CS John Mbadi, Agriculture CS Andrew Karanja, and Environment CS Adan Duale.
In a statement, Juney Karisa, head of public communications at the Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, said the council would oversee key measures aimed at facilitating trade and investments.
“The negotiations include adherence to trade in goods provisions, strengthening supply chain relationships, fostering innovations in trade finance, and advancing trade in green goods and services,” the statement read.
Signed in December 2023 during a ceremony in Nairobi witnessed by President Ruto and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the EPA guarantees Kenyan exporters tariff-free access to the EU market.
This opens doors to the 27-member bloc’s €13 trillion economy, creating significant opportunities for Kenyan goods and services.
The council’s responsibilities include establishing various organs to facilitate the agreement, implementing systems for dispute resolution, and promoting sustainable development.
The EU is expected to name its co-chair and council members in the coming weeks.
The trade deal has already been ratified by Kenya’s National Assembly and the European Parliament, marking a milestone in Kenya’s trade relations with the EU and solidifying the country’s position as a key trade partner in the region.
