President William Ruto has appointed Prime Cabinet Secretary (CS) and CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi as a member of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Council between Kenyan and the European Union (EU).
In a gazette notice dated November 22, Ruto appointed Investments, Trade and Industry CS Salim Mvurya as co—chair the Agreement.
Ruto also appointed three other members of the EPA Council including National Treasury CS John Mbadi, Agriculture CS Dr. Andrew Mwihia Karanja and his Environment counterpart Aden Duale.
Trade Principal Secretary (PS) Alfred Ombudo revealed that the European Commission in Brussels is shortly expected to appoint the other co-chair of the trade agreement and its members.
Trade PS Explanations
Ombudo said EPA guarantees Kenyan exporters tariff—free access to the 27 country, €13 trillion EU market, was signed in December 2023 in a Nairobi.
The ceremony was witnessed by President Ruto and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
EPA was also ratified by Kenya’s National Assembly and the European Parliament.
The PS explained that the council is the highest decision—making organ of the EPA, and it is responsible for managing the implementation of the agreement.
“This includes the establishment of various organs of the EPA, including implementation systems for trade facilitation, dispute resolution and sustainable development,” Ombudo said.
He mentioned that Kenya—EU EPA is expected to convene its first sitting in early 2025.
Kenya-EU Joint Statement
In a Joint Statement on June 13, the two factions said the Agreement marked a major step forward in the trade and investment relations between the EU and Kenya.
Then Trade CS Moses Kuria and European Commission Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis said the Agreement aims to implement bilaterally the provisions of the EPA between the EU and the East African Community (EAC) Partner States, on which negotiations were finalized in 2014.
“It follows a decision by the East African Community Heads of State Summit on February 27, 2021.The EU-Kenya Agreement will remain open to the accession of the EAC Partner States,” the statement reads in part.
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What Mudavadi & Other Appointed CSs Will Perform
The leaders emphasized that the Agreement is a key deliverable of the EU-Kenya Strategic Dialogue and will be directly supported by the implementation of the Global Gateway Africa-Europe Investment Package.
Further, they highlighted its role in facilitating trade and investment, complemented by trade-related development cooperation, aiming to deepen economic ties, stimulate sustainable economic growth, and foster job creation.
They also noted that the Agreement will open new opportunities for Kenyan and European businesses, particularly Micro-, Small-, and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
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Transitioning to shared values, the leaders underlined their contribution to advancing sustainability while aligning with the objectives of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063.
In addition, the Agreement is set to support green and digital transitions for both partners.
They underscored commitments to merge sustainable growth with environmental conservation and climate resilience.
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