This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
Kenya's decision to pursue a post-Brexit trade deal with the UK has sparked concerns among African countries, which accuse Kenya of undermining the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement.
On July 5, 2020, State House announced that President Uhuru Kenyatta and British Premier Boris Johnson had agreed to start negotiations for a post-Brexit trade agreement, which is expected to be finalized before the UK's exit from the European Union on December 31, 2020.
According to State House, the talks will be conducted within the Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership Framework established by the two leaders in January 2020 and the East African Community (EAC) parameters to enhance regional integration.
However, the EAC and AfCFTA agreements discourage members from pursuing bilateral trade deals with third parties, which has raised concerns about Kenya's trade strategy and its potential impact on intra-African trade and the country's influence across the continent.
President Kenyatta has downplayed these concerns, stating that Kenya will be the first country to pursue a trade deal under the new AfCFTA and hopes that others will follow suit.
The UK's interest in a post-Brexit trade deal with Kenya is seen as an attractive proposition for Western interests looking to expand their influence in Africa and the fight against global terrorism.
Kenya-British Ties ¶
During their telephone conversation, President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Johnson also discussed several 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 until May 30, 2020, which had enabled Kenyans to apply for long-term visa renewal without having to travel back to Kenya.
He 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.
