Kenya is fighting back. The government has announced it will challenge a court ruling. This ruling suspended a major trade agreement with the European Union.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Trade confirmed the appeal. Officials are determined to salvage the economic pact.
The setback comes from the East African Court of Justice. A policy think-tank filed a petition against the deal. They argued that Nairobi violated the East African Community (EAC) treaty. The group claims Kenya should not have signed the accord alone.
A Contested Partnership
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) came into force in 2024. Since then, it has caused regional friction.
Technically, the framework is open to other East African states. However, critics and trade analysts disagree with the process. They contend that the entire bloc should have negotiated the deal. They oppose Kenya acting unilaterally.
High Economic Stakes
The court’s suspension poses a severe threat to Nairobi. The European Union is a critical commercial partner.
Total trade between the two entities reached €3 billion in 2023. Of this figure, Kenyan exports accounted for nearly €1.2 billion.
The agreement is vital for agriculture. It guarantees duty-free access for key exports. These include cut flowers and fresh fruit.
In exchange, the EU gains access to the Kenyan market. Furthermore, the deal outlines a roadmap for tariff reductions. It plans to lower tariffs on European goods over a 25-year period.
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