Kenya has signed an important agreement with the European Union, which will grant the country duty-free access to the enormous EU market. Through this development, Kenya will become the only East African Community (EAC) member state to establish a pact with the rich bloc. Despite this being a huge win for Kenya, other East African countries have accused Kenya of betrayal and going against the bloc's Customs Union and the Common Market Protocol
Some of the products that will be exported to the European Union without quota restrictions include; vegetables, fruits, tea, coffee and flowers. The deal will come into effect starting January 2024 after the expiry of an existing one formulated before Brexit.
EAC countries have an existing agreement facilitating the free flow of goods between member states. Other EAC countries feel the EU deal will give Kenya an unfair advantage, because it will lead to the free flow of European goods to all EAC countries through Kenya.
Kenya decided to pursue an individual deal with the European Union after EAC countries determined that EPA would hurt local industries.
Source: kenyans.co.ke
