The EU and Kenya today signed an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) to boost bilateral trade in goods, increase investment flows, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

The EPA provides a platform to support job creation on both sides, along with targeted cooperation to enhance Kenya's economic development. It is the most ambitious trade deal ever signed by the EU with a developing country when it comes to sustainability provisions such as climate and environmental protection, labour rights and gender equality.

The signature took place during an official ceremony in Nairobi with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Kenyan President Dr. William Samoei Ruto.

The EU is Kenya's first export destination and second largest trading partner, with a total of €3.3 billion in bilateral trade in 2022 - an increase of 27% compared to 2018. The EPA will create even more opportunities for Kenyan businesses and exporters, as it will fully open the EU market for Kenyan products upon entry into force. It will also incentivise EU investment in Kenya thanks to increased legal certainty and stability.

Kenya has played a pioneering role in driving sustainability efforts on the African continent and is a reliable ally in the fight against climate change. It co-leads the Coalition of Trade Ministers on Climate initiative launched earlier this year, together with the EU and other partners. The EU-Kenya EPA builds on this strong track record and is the first agreement with a developing country in which the EU's new approach to trade and sustainable development is reflected.

The balanced agreement takes into account Kenya's development needs by providing a longer period to gradually open its market. It also includes a special safeguard for agriculture, food security and infant industry. A dedicated chapter has been included on economic and development cooperation, aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of the Kenyan economy.

Together with EU development assistance, this will help build capacity and assist Kenya in implementing the EPA smoothly, while supporting local farmers in meeting EU standards and in reaping the opportunities this agreement provides.

The agreement corresponds to the Commission's commitment to step up engagement with partners and regions in Africa. The aim is to enhance sustainable trade links between both continents and within Africa itself, thereby meeting key objectives for both the EU-Africa relationship and the green transition.

President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “Kenya is a key partner for the European Union in Africa. The new Economic Partnership Agreement will boost bilateral trade even further, support investments and create good jobs in Kenya. This agreement will also contribute to sustainable and fair economic growth, bringing new opportunities for companies, to the benefit of both our people. It includes the strongest social and climate commitments of any EU trade deal with an African country.”

Next steps

The EPA will be transmitted to the European Parliament for consent. The agreement will subsequently enter into force. 

Background

The Economic Partnership Agreement between the EU and Kenya aims to implement the provisions contained in the EU-East African Community (EAC) EPA, and will be open for other EAC countries to join in the future.

The EPA and its ambitious commitments represent a crucial deliverable of the current EU Trade Agenda, in particular the goal of enhancing trade relations with Africa, helping the EU to deepen and expand its current trade agreements with African countries, and enhancing their sustainability objectives.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has assured the Diaspora community that the Kenya Kwanza government will always be ready to engage with them, listen to their positive and objective criticism and work on the feedback to make Kenya a better place to call home.

Speaking at the gala night held on Friday evening to celebrate the successful conclusion of the 3-Day Diaspora Investment Conference in Nairobi, Dr. Mudavadi said President William Ruto's administration has allowed open and candid conversation among Kenyans to enable the government to serve its citizens better.

"The Diaspora and other stakeholders in Kenya's transformative journey are dedicated to fostering a strong and resilient nation. Through constructive engagements, they harness the diverse talents, skills, and global experiences each individual brings" He said

Harmonizing with President William Samoei Ruto's clarion call for digitization and export-led investment, Mudavadi said the discussions have not merely been talks, they are the genesis of strategic initiatives aligning with the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda.

The thematic sessions, according to Dr. Mudavadi, have unveiled unique perspectives, cultivating an environment for the diaspora community to seize transformative investment opportunities.

He noted, "It has enabled you to connect with others, to share information, learn from the experiences of others, and collectively envision strategies that transcend individual perspectives."

This interconnectedness forms the very foundation for collaborative endeavours in realizing BETA’s vision of uplifting the livelihoods of Kenyans.

PCS urged the Diaspora community to leverage networks for socio-economic development across counties

"Your contribution to Kenya’s transformation agenda will support the Government’s aim of improving the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans, particularly in rural areas," he said.

As the Diaspora embarks on this transformative journey, the enduring impact of their contributions, extending far beyond remittances, becomes palpable. 

Mudavadi's vision for a more resilient Kenya is not merely a call to action, it signifies a collective commitment to surmounting emerging challenges and steering the nation towards sustained economic growth.

Global Afropop superstar Yemi Alade asserts her renowned musical prowess in her new EP ‘Mamapiano’ and now ventures into Amapiano.

She experiments successfully with four brand new tracks.

She says, “Mamapiano EP is the soundtrack to set the mood for the rest of the year into 2024. Just press play and I'll do the rest. These four tracks carry rhythm and melodies that accompany you everywhere regardless of the occasion.”

She adds, “I just wrapped up my 40 country USA / Europe tour and I decided to end the year on a high with a playlist-gift from me to you. This EP will certainly set the perfect mood and I assure you won't need to skip a beat.”

She flaunts a mesmerizing melody in the self-affirmation and gospel-inspired song titled “Mind Ova Mata (Amazing Grace)”.

While at it, she praises God for His love and grace, picking her up whenever she is down, and giving her hope and the ability to conquer.

“EFCC” is a party song that promises to be an instant Tik Tok success.

The lyrics can be likened to lovers' quarrel composed like an ideal conversation.

"Get up” is a cocktail of genres (such as Afrobeat, Dance, Amapiano, Hip hop, Pop) and one can easily see the Michael Jackson flair Yemi Alade delivers this track with.

The track is infectious and quite the party favorite.

On “Ogini” she recounts a night spent with her girlfriends to celebrate her birthday.

The song highlights the key elements including partying, extravagant spending and enjoying the moment.

In 2023, Yemi continues her reign on the continental music charts, with a collection of hits maintaining their dominance like “Lipeka”, “Fear Love”, “Fake Friends (Iró Òre)”, “Pounds & Dollars” feat Phyno, “Baddie”, “Jo Jo” feat. Bisa K

The County Government of Mombasa in collaboration with the Coventant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan African (COM SSA) on Friday launched the Mombasa City Lab.

The lab is expected to pave way for a co-develop and co-design approach to generate concrete solutions for the city’s complex urban flooding climate adaptation challenge.

The City LAB is also expected to tackle complex, cross-sectoral urban challenges by fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including government, civil society, private sector and academia.

These structured processes aim to generate innovative ideas by co-producing solutions aimed at addressing complex urban issues through a multi-stakeholder consultation process.

Speaking during the event, Mombasa County deputy governor Francis Thoya described the launch of the lab as a pivotal initiative in the county’s journey towards a resilient and sustainable future.

The recent rains and subsequent flooding have reminded us of the urgency to of the challenges we face, especially in the context of climate change.”

“We acknowledge the impact on our communities and recognize the need for comprehensive, collaborative solutions,” said Thoya.

The Mombasa City Lab he said is born out of the recognition of the climate challenges the county faces and is a testament of the county administration to innovation and resilience.

He said it represents a structured participatory process involving the county, academia, civil society, the private sector and local stakeholders.

"Together we aim to co-develop concrete solutions to address our city’s complex urban flooding and

The city lab process is expected to bring relevant stakeholders together to generate and co-develop innovative ideas for how to solve urban issues wherecompeting and conflicting prioritizes are addressed and feasible solutions are generated.

The LAB during the implementation will co-develop and co-design concrete solutions for the city’s complex urban flooding climate adaptation challenge over a period of one year.

Where reasonable and possible, the LAB will take actions towards selected proposed solutions.

"The Mombasa City Lab process is not just a forum, it is a critical intervention, a laboratory for ideas and actions that will lead to transformative outcomes.” Thoya said.

The county executive for Water, natural resources and climate change resilience Dr. Emily Achieng said that the lab has come at an opportune time as the county grapples with looking for solutions to problems affecting the county.

"The lab is going to look at the complexity of a problem and who can solve it. As a county we have taken strokes and we are adjusting our budget to factor in social programs in order to assist people affected by the recent floods,” said Achieng.

She said her department was already putting plans in motion to implement the recently launched Mombasa Climate Change Action Plan adding that several bills will be brought into the county assembly of Mombasa for adaptation.

She added that she was working closely with the department of lands to ensure that even the 6.9 per cent emissions coming from buildings is reduced by first quarter of next year.

The action plan she said is not only for her department and the county, but all stakeholders in Mombasa.

"We will gazette new green building codes by the first quarter of next year and all stakeholders will abide by it to reduce emissions.”

“With our partners GIZ, we have finished mapping the energy load from county buildings, we are looking at renewable energy alternatives, because as a government we want to lead from the front,” Achieng said.

Irene Garibaldi, the head of cooperation European Union delegation to Kenya said that the launch of the Lab will help to address the consequences of climate change in Mombasa.

She lauded the county government of Mombasa for spearheading initiatives to address effects of climate change locally.

"The floods witnessed recently have showed us the negative effects of climate change. I want to confirm to you that the EU is committed to work with counties to support inclusive and resilience urbanization, improve energy planning, reduce multination and help achieve local development agendas,” said Garibaldi.

She added that in the just concluded COP28 discussions in Dubai, the EU has committed about Sh3 billion for the covenant of mayors in sub-Saharan Africa.

The Covenant of Mayors in Sub-Saharan Africa (CoM SSA), is the largest global network of cities committed to tackle the intricate challenges posed by impacts of climate change and inequitable energy access.

CoM SSA is part of the Global Covenant of Mayors, an initiative of 13,000+ cities taking ambitious climate action.

Support to CoM SSA is co-funded by the European Union and Germany and co-implemented by GIZ in Kenya.

Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Chairman Benjamin Tayari has appealed to Kinango residents to give time to elected leaders to work and deliver on their promises.

Speaking in Kinango, Tayari who is also the immediate former area Mp said time for politics is over and is only through the residents working together with their leaders that they will achieve developments.

"For now let us work together with our elected leaders all the way from our MCAs, Mps, Governors, Senators and the President , give them time to work, this is the only way that we will get developments." said Tayari.

Adding "This is not time for politics but for working. When time for politics comes then we will be free to play politics but for now let us concentrate on the work."

Tayari also noted that President William Ruto is working hard to improve the current situation facing Kenyans.

He emphasized that the country can move forward only when people work together and live in love and unity.

In a momentous stride towards fostering international collaboration, the Kenya Medical Research institute (KEMRI) has embarked on a transformative journey by initiating partnership with the Kenyan community in the diaspora commonly referred to as Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA) through establishing of a formal Diaspora Engagement program set to commence in January 2024.

KEMRI is best known for disease outbreak investigations and containment and development of new tools to diagnose, prevent and treat emerging new diseases.

The COVID-19 pandemic showed the critical nature of KEMRI to the country’s public health emergency response needs.

KEMRI’s success has been attributed mainly to working with global partners who have been key in capacity building- infrastructure, equipment and human resource.

Research development and innovation is global, and over time it has been witnessed that collaborations often bring in effective results in research.

The Kenya Diaspora offers a potential platform for KEMRI to anchor its global reach to effect its mandate to the people of Kenya and the region. KEMRI hence has become a key plank for the Kenya Government new policy of local manufacturing of medical products.

KEMRI’s new policy is research and development of new vaccines, diagnostics and drugs for local manufacturing.

To be successful in this new initiative, workforce development (training) in product development and incubation is very critical. Speaking during the 10th Annual Kenya Diaspora Homecoming Convention (KDHC2023), on 8 th December in Nairobi, KEMRI Director General and CEO Prof. Elijah Songok said the mutual benefits that would arise from the collaboration between PRESS RELEASE KEMRI and the Kenya Diaspora Alliance will yield groundbreaking results, offering the promise of improved healthcare outcomes for Kenya and the broader international community.

“The Kenya Diaspora has members working in abroad universities, research institutes and pharmaceutical companies who have great expertise and experience in drug, vaccine and diagnostic development. KEMRI wishes to partner with such members of the Kenya Diaspora Alliance. The COVID-19 epidemic taught Kenya and Africa to depend on her own. That in the event of a global pandemic emergency ‘development partners’ will first take care of their own. It is therefore key for us to join hands and work together.” Stated Prof. Songok.

Under the partnership initiative, KEMRI will partner with Kenyan Scientists in the Diaspora to advance human health research and commit to building a thriving strong skills exchange not just in Kenya but globally.

The partnership will include appointment to KEMRI as visiting/Adjunct professors and Eminent scientist; the visiting Scientists/Professors will in turn co-mentor graduate (Masters, PhD, Postdoc) trainees through KEMRI to develop the critical local mass for product development.

The Diaspora scientist shall also support in external fundraising activities through drawing partnership research and innovation grants from the diaspora to KEMRI. Diaspora scientists are set to facilitate partnership between their mother institutions abroad with KEMRI, and in return, KEMRI will provide the platform (labs, personnel, populations, clinical trial sites) for Kenya Diaspora scientist who wish to carry out their projects in Kenya. 

The county government of Mombasa is contemplating greening the transport sector which has been identified as a major contributor to the county’s carbon footprint.

The transport sector, environment and industries have been identified as the top contributors to carbon emissions affecting the environment.

To achieve this, the county government of Mombasa on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Green Energy Consortium, Tuk Tuk Operators Network, Solar Tyme USA and Modern Auto Maintenance.

The MOU is on rolling out transition from fossil fuels to e-mobility.

Speaking during the signing of the MOU at the governor’s office, the county executive secretary for Water, Natural Resource and Climate Change Resilience Dr. Emily Achieng’ said that the governor Abdulswamad led administration was committed in greening the transport sector in Mombasa.

“As a county we have taken a big role in ensuring that we green our transport sector because it is one of the culprits in emissions. We are transiting to electric mobility and our partners are going to help us,” said Achieng.

She said through the MOU, they will start with two wheelers and then three wheelers as she alluded that Mombasa has been witnessing increased numbers of tuktuks and bodabodas using diesel and petrol that largely contribute to chroming.

The memorandum of understanding she said has a component of retrofitting the two and three-wheelers.

“As a county we are supporting through developing the necessary policies which need to be in place. We are also providing land where we can put up the swiping and charging station,” Achieng said.

She added that the county will give incentives to the industry which could be inform of reduction in the fee that an electric tuktuk or bike needs to pay.

The incentives she said might also come in swapping fees whereby discussions are going on about how much the county can cover on behalf of the e-mobility operators.

The she said will also provide land where the charging and swapping stations can be put up.

“We need to up-skill our young people to be able to fit in the green jobs space. We shall also get into partnership with our county TVETS to support training of mechanics that will be able to work in the electric vehicles,” she said.

The county executive added that the county intends to have swapping stations in all bodaboda stages saying this will increase job opportunities.

She said that discussions were ongoing with partners to have a battery manufacturing factory here in Mombasa.

This she said will have an economic impact on drivers because if you compare the charging fee to buying fuel, it is relatively low.

“We want to encourage the transition to electric mobility because it does not only reduce our carbon footprint, it also has a component on economic empowerment in the different value chains supported in the industry including training of students, where we will have our swapping stations and who will train them,” she said.

The managing partner at Solar Tyme USA Jonell Minefee said that they chose Mombasa to begin the pilot project before rolling it out to Kilifi and other counties in Kenya.

Solar Tyme USA is a financing partner is the MOU.

She said that reducing carbon footprint is a very expensive thing thus the need to have partners.

The six-sitter three-wheeler is fully electric and has a range of up to 100 kilometers per full charge which takes about 6 to 7 hours to be completed.

“This three-wheeler is fully electric and produces no noise. We want to make Mombasa a green city in Africa that is clean and without any noise,” said Molu.