This archive report was first published on 4 July 2020.
On Saturday, President Uhuru Kenyatta held private talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson at State House, Nairobi. The two leaders agreed to start negotiations for a Kenya-United Kingdom (UK) post-Brexit trade agreement.
According to the agreement, the negotiations will be conducted within the Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership Framework established in January 2020 and the East African Community (EAC) parameters. This is aimed at enhancing regional integration and ensuring a smooth transition post-Brexit.
During the telephone conversation, President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Johnson also discussed several Kenya-UK bilateral interests, including the two nations' response to the global Covid-19 health crisis.
President Kenyatta thanked the British Government for extending visa over-stay amnesty for Kenyan nationals in the UK who cannot travel back due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions until 30th May 2020. This amnesty had enabled Kenyans, especially students and workers, to apply for long-term visa renewal in the UK without having to travel back to Kenya.
President Kenyatta also thanked the UK Government for supporting Kenya's Worker Protection Scheme, which will benefit garment and horticultural sectors to avoid massive staff layoffs during the current Covid-19 global economic disruption.
On Britain's support for Kenya's successful bid for the recent UN Security Council elections, President Kenyatta thanked Prime Minister Johnson for his country's endorsement.
The two leaders reaffirmed their strong support for the Commonwealth and committed to working together to ensure stability, continuity, and the deepening of solidarity among Commonwealth nations.
