This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
Kenya and the UK are poised to begin negotiations for a post-Brexit trade agreement, following a private meeting between President Uhuru Kenyatta and British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday.
The talks, which will be conducted within the Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership Framework established in January 2020, aim to enhance regional integration and finalize the agreement before the UK's exit from the European Union on December 31, 2020.
During their telephone conversation, President Kenyatta and Prime Minister Johnson also discussed several bilateral interests, including 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 the garment and horticultural sectors to avoid massive staff layoffs during the current Covid-19 global economic disruption.
The two leaders agreed on the importance of international collaboration in the fight against the virus and discussed the challenges posed by coronavirus.
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.
