President William Ruto has appointed five Cabinet Secretaries as members of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Council between Kenya,  members of the East African Community and the European Union.

They include Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya as co-chair of the council, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, John Mbadi (National Treasury), Andrew Karanja (Agriculture and Livestock Development) and Adan Duale (Environment, Climate Change and Forestry).

The council is the highest decision-making organ of the EPA tasked to manage implementation of the agreement. Its roles include establishment of various organs of the EPA, including implementation systems for trade facilitation, dispute resolution and sustainable development.

According to a statement by Juney Karisa, head of Public Communications Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, the council will further ensure that all measures to advance two-way trade and investments are implemented.

“The negotiations include adherence to trade in goods provisions, strengthening supply chain relationships, fostering innovations in trade finance and advancing trade in green goods and services,” reads the statement.

The EPA, which guarantees Kenyan exporters tariff free access to the 27 country, €13 trillion EU market, was signed in December 2023 in a Nairobi ceremony witnessed by President Ruto and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen. The agreement was also ratified by Kenya’s National Assembly and the European Parliament.

The EU in Brussels is also expected to appoint the other co-chair of the trade agreement and its members.