Renew trade pact with European Union, State told

By ANTONY GITONGA

The Council of Governors has expressed concern over failure by the Government to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the European Union (EU).

With the deadline fast approaching, the council warned that thousands of jobs and investment worth billions were at stake following the ongoing impasse.

This emerged during a meeting between governors and Kenya Flower Council (KFC) officials in Naivasha.

The governors were told that over 500,000 jobs were at stake, while flower farmers face a new tax of between eight percent and 12 percent in the EU market, a move that would lock out many of them. Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto warned that the country’s market share in the EU was at risk due to the impasse.

Ruto said they were ready to lobby the Government ministries so that the agreement could be signed by the end of this month.

“Our market share in the EU stands at 40 per cent. We stand to lose this unless the EPA is signed before the end of this year,” said the governor.

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua noted the horticulture sector is crucial to the economy as it employs over 90,000 people.

“We are deeply perturbed by the Government’s failure to sign the EPA in time. This could have devastating effects on counties dealing with floriculture farming,” he said.