Kenya has rejected a regional court decision that halted its landmark Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union and will immediately file an appeal, the Ministry of Trade announced Wednesday.
Why the Deal Was Stopped
The East African Court of Justice suspended the agreement following a lawsuit from a policy think-tank. The petitioners argued Kenya broke East African Community (EAC) rules by signing the pact without full bloc approval, even though the EPA is technically open for other EAC members to join later.
What’s at Stake
- €3 billion annual trade volume (2023 figures)
- €1.2 billion in Kenyan exports, mainly flowers, fruits and vegetables
- Duty-free and quota-free access to the entire EU market
- Gradual 25-year tariff cuts for European goods entering Kenya
Losing the deal would hammer Kenya’s horticulture sector and thousands of jobs.
Government Fires Back
Trade officials called the ruling a major setback and promised to fight it “with everything we have.” They insist the agreement fully complies with EAC treaty provisions and was negotiated transparently.
The appeal will now go before the higher bench of the East African Court of Justice.
Kenya remains the only EAC country to have ratified and implemented the EPA so far, making it the focal point of the regional trade dispute.
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