A team of Kenyan officials led by Trade Principal Secretary Alfred K'Ombudo is set to travel to the US for about 10 days for a high-level meeting with their US counterparts.
In a statement from the Office of the US Trade Representative, it was revealed that the meeting shall be held between April 2 and 12. The US delegation will be led by Assistant United States Trade Representative Constance Hamilton.
"The United States and Kenya will hold a fourth in-person negotiating round under the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) in Washington, DC, from April 2-12, 2024," read part of the statement.
This meeting will cover three key areas, including agriculture, worker's rights and the environment.
Per the statement, the officials shall also continue conceptual discussions on customs and trade facilitation and inclusivity.
However, the Trade Representative announced that the meeting would be closed to the press for 10 days.
The last STIP meeting was held in January 2024 in Nairobi. These meetings are geared towards progress, deepening mutual understanding and resolving differences between the two countries.
STIP was launched on July 14, 2022, with the two countries announcing that the two governments would establish high-standard commitments in a wide range of areas.
"The goal of the Partnership is to increase investment; promote sustainable and inclusive economic growth; benefit workers, consumers, and businesses (including micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises); and support African regional economic integration," read part of the statement.
On July 17, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai was in the country for trade discussions with senior officials from the Kenyan Ministry of Trade.
She held meetings until July 19 but failed to meet Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria who served as the Trade CS at the time.
According to Tai, she rejected a meeting with the CS terming him as an extremist due to his social media posts and other outbursts. She cancelled two meetings with Kuria.
Ambassador Tai instead held discussions with President William Ruto and other senior officials.
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