The Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry has reassured Kenyan exporters and investors that trade with the EU will continue despite the East Africa Court of Justice’s suspension of the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement.
Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui emphasized that the government is taking immediate steps to protect trade, safeguard commercial arrangements, and maintain market access for Kenyan businesses.
In an official statement released on Wednesday, the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry noted that over the years, trade has positioned Kenya as a key logistical and economic hub in East Africa while promoting economic cooperation through market access, export diversification and foreign investments attraction.
The suspension, the ministry said, has caused uncertainty among traders and the broader business community.
The Kenya-EU EPA, described as the “lifeline of our booming exports,” supports the livelihoods of a large number of Kenyans.
The government emphasized that the agreement aligns with national priorities under Vision 2030, the BETA plan, and other growth and job creation frameworks, highlighting its importance to sustainable economic development.
Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui noted that Kenya enjoys a longstanding partnership with the European Union, anchored on shared values of sustainable development and open markets.
Last year, Kenya exported goods worth Sh202.25 billion to the EU while importing Sh270.94 billion reflecting a positive trajectory in trade.
The government is keen to expand Kenya’s market presence within the EU despite the current legal uncertainty.
“The Government of Kenya wishes to confirm to its citizens and exporters that they will continue to access the EU market,” CS Kinyanjui stated.
“We assure all Kenyans, our trading partners, as well as trading entities, that Kenya will continue to trade with the EU and steps are being taken to ensure continuity, predictability and protection of our existing commercial arrangements.”
To address the ruling, the Ministry is consulting with the Office of the Attorney General and has initiated immediate steps, including seeking redress through appellate mechanisms to set aside the injunctive orders, allowing the continued implementation of the EPA pending the hearing and determination of the reference.
The Ministry is also engaging with Partner States on Article 37 of the EAC Protocol, noting that it is meant to facilitate transparency and not prohibit sovereign trade action.
The statement warned that over-judicialization of the article can reduce policy space and create a perception of the EAC as anti-development among investors and external partners.
CS Kinyanjui emphasized that the government remains committed to providing certainty to exporters, investors, and trading partners.
“We will continue to safeguard the country’s trade, investment and industrialization interests,” he said, adding that Kenya will actively engage Partner States and the EAC Secretariat to streamline procedural requirements for conducting business in the region.
Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to the principle of variable geometry, which allows Partner States to pursue differentiated integration pathways without undermining collective growth and the spirit of EAC integration.
“As a founding member of the EAC, Kenya continues to support this approach,” the statement noted.
