Trade Principal Secretary (PS) Alfred K'Ombudo on Sunday, July 23, clarified media reports that the United States has made new demands before signing a free trade deal that has been in negotiations since 2020.
His statement follows a report in the Sunday Nation that the US team led by Trade Representative Katherine Tai was pushing the Kenyan government to make economic and social reforms before agreeing to a deal.
The paper reported that the US negotiating team wanted Kenya to drop the Family Protection Bill that was tabled by Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma seeking to outlaw the promotion, recruitment, and funding of LGBTQ groups.
Other conditions being pushed include combating corruption and developing transparent licencing and regulatory systems according to the daily.
The PS remarked that the reporting did not accurately reflect the events of the three-day negotiations that started on Monday, July 17.
“The negotiations are proceeding on schedule, and with a high degree of convergence across several chapters,” K' Ombudo stated.
He further stated that the trade negotiations were not one-way as reported but it was a deal between two equals.
The Principal Secretary in a statement that was endorsed by his Foreign Affairs counterpart Korir Sing’oei, added that the negotiations had added new promising sectors such as digital trade.
The PS could not comment on the issue when Kenyans.co.ke contacted him, as he indicated he was off work for a social engagement.
The free trade deal seeks to do away with the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which allows Kenya to export goods to the US duty-free.
The free trade deal, expected to be signed by April 2024, focuses on non-tariff partnerships, which will boost labour and production standards in Kenya.
On her visit to Kenya, Tai promised to enhance economic integration and expansion in the East African Community (EAC).
“Cooperation makes us stronger, and I look forward to our continued, dynamic work as a council,” Tai announced while chairing the U.S.-East African Community Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council.
According to the US Department of State, the country is the largest destination for Kenya's exports and the seventh largest source of its imports.
The main exports to the US include apparel, coffee and tea.
