Kate Osamor: UK gov’t names new Trade envoy to Kenya

A Labour Member of Parliament Kate Osamor has been picked by the United Kingdom government as a Trade envoy to Kenya.
In a statement on Monday, February 3, 2025, the British High Commission in Kenya Neil Wigan welcomed Kate noting that she would be working to foster ties between Kenya and the UK.
Wigan added that her role would help create more job opportunities between the two countries.
“Kate Osamor will be working to identify trade and investment opportunities between the UK government and Kenya to drive growth and create jobs!” the statement read in part.

Kate’s jurisdiction will extend to Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.
Reacting to the new assignment, Kate expressed gratitude to the UK’s government and vowed to build deeper ties with the East African nations
“I am honoured to have been appointed as the UK Government’s Trade Envoy to East Africa. I look forward to strengthening the bonds between the UK and Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. My goal is to foster deeper relationships and drive growth in trade, ensuring that we all thrive together,” Kate stated.

Assigned task
Kate was among the 32 parliamentarians drawn from across the political spectrum who were picked by Prime Minister Keir Steimer’s administration and branded the ‘global growth team.’
During their unveiling, the UK government tasked them with identifying trade and investment opportunities for businesses and championing the UK as a destination of choice for investment in those markets.

Speaking during the unveiling, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds insisted that trade and investment were key to delivering economic growth.
“Trade and investment are key to delivering economic growth, the number one mission of this Government and a key part of our Plan for Change. That’s why I’ve launched a new team of Trade Envoys, who will use their experience, expertise and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, drumming up investment into the UK and ultimately driving economic growth,” Reynolds stated.
“They will work closely with the Department for Business and Trade. The announcement comes ahead of the new Trade Strategy in Spring, which will prioritise rebuilding our relationship with the EU and seizing opportunities to access new markets further afield,” he added.
Controversial past
Kate once made headlines after she threatened to smash a reporter’s face with a bat. The incident went viral with some of her colleagues calling for her ouster.
The lawmaker was however ordered to apologise for the incident and for using a House of Commons headed notepaper for a character reference in her son’s drug case in 2020.
In 2024, Kate was suspended by his party following her controversial statement on Israel’s action in Gaza.