In a decisive move to sharpen Kenya’s trade edge with the European Union, President William Ruto has appointed Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui as co-chair of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Council.
The appointment, announced via a Gazette Notice dated April 11, underscores the government’s commitment to unlocking duty-free and quota-free market access for Kenyan goods across all 27 EU member states.
As the apex body mandated to oversee the implementation of the EPA framework, the Council plays a pivotal role in steering enhanced trade and investment flows between Kenya and the EU.
The landmark agreement, which sets the stage for long-term market integration, is widely seen as a key driver in boosting the competitiveness of Kenya’s export sector.
Alongside Kinyanjui, President Ruto has also designated four other Cabinet Secretaries to serve on the Council: Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi (doubling as Foreign Affairs CS), John Mbadi of the Treasury, Mutahi Kagwe from Agriculture, and Aden Duale formerly of Environment.
This high-powered team is expected to ensure robust and coordinated policy execution, reflecting a unified approach to navigating the challenges and opportunities under the EPA.
Industry stakeholders and analysts view the reorganization of the EPA Council as a bold step towards strengthening Kenya’s export potential.
