This archive report was first published on 4 July 2020.
President Uhuru Kenyatta held private talks with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday, July 4, 2020, to discuss a potential post-Brexit trade agreement between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
According to a statement from State House, the two leaders agreed to start negotiations for a Kenya-UK post-Brexit trade agreement, which would be finalized ahead of the UK's exit from the European Union on December 31, 2020.
The negotiations would be conducted within the Kenya-UK strategic partnership framework established in January 2020 and the East African Community (EAC) parameters to enhance regional integration.
During the telephone conversation, the two leaders also discussed several Kenya-UK bilateral interests, including the 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 May 30, 2021.
He also thanked the UK government for supporting Kenya's worker protection scheme, which would benefit garment and horticultural sectors to avoid massive staff layoffs during the current COVID-19 global economic disruption.
The two leaders reaffirmed their strong support for the Commonwealth and committed to work together to ensure stability, continuity, and the deepening of solidarity among Commonwealth nations.
