Kenya, British MPs prepare to ratify trade pact

Ranil Jayawardena and Betty Maina.

UK’s Trade Minister Ranil Jayawardena and Kenya's Trade Cabinet Secretary Betty Maina in London on December 8, 2020. PHOTO | COURTESY

Kenyan and British parliamentarians are currently considering the ratification of a trade agreement that seeks to grant Kenyan goods unfettered access to the British market as part of new trade arrangements following the Brexit vote close to four years ago (June 2016).

The trade pact, which is a replica of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) that the East African Community member states signed with the European Union, is expected to take effect by March 31 upon exchange of the instruments of ratification by Kenya and the UK.