On Thursday, Members of the European Parliament voted to approve the European Union Economic Partnership Agreement with Kenya.
During the voting process, which involved 508 members, 366 EU MPs voted in favour of the trade deal, while 86 voted against it. Meanwhile, 56 members were absent during the voting.
Following the majority vote, the trade deal between Kenya and the European Union was approved.
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) aims to strengthen trade and economic ties with Kenya.
The agreement includes binding and enforceable provisions on international standards and agreements on labour and gender equality.
It is further aimed at enhancing climate and environmental change and further preventing both parties from lowering labour and environmental standards.
Part of a statement by the European Union Parliament reads, "It is the first agreement with a developing country in which the EU's new approach to trade and sustainable development is reflected."
The EU parliament further noted, "The trade and sustainable development clauses, which are new compared to the EU-East African Community EPA, will be binding. Possible issues will be addressed through a dedicated dispute-resolution mechanism."
The European Union stands as Kenya’s second-largest trading partner and its most crucial export market. According to Commission data from 2022, the total trade between the EU and Kenya reached Ksh191 billion (€3.3 billion).
While acknowledging the deal, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed stated that the EPA would ensure farmers, processors, and traders enjoy permanent duty-free and quota-free access to Kenyan exports such as flowers, tea, coffee, fish, vegetables, fruits, and nuts.
"The European Parliament has given a resounding vote of confidence to Kenya today after approving the Kenya-EU Economic Partnership Agreement," noted Hussein Mohamed.
The government further highlighted that the deal would open opportunities for EU investment in Kenya, thereby spurring job creation in sectors such as chemicals, steel, pharmaceuticals, and machinery manufacturing.
