Kenya’s Ministry of Trade has announced its intention to appeal the court ruling that led to the suspension of its Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union.
The East African Court of Justice suspended the agreement after a petition by a regional research center, arguing that Kenya’s unilateral signing violated principles of regional integration.
The agreement, in force since 2024, aims to grant Kenyan exports — including flowers and fruits — wider access to European markets, in exchange for Kenya gradually opening its market to European goods over 25 years.
The deal has drawn criticism from regional trade experts, who argue that negotiations should have been conducted at the bloc level rather than individually, warning that the move undermines East Africa’s collective bargaining strength.
Despite the controversy, the agreement remains open for other EAC member states to join.
