The National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, chaired by Hon. Nelson Koech (Belgut),  is considering terminating the Kenya-Italy Bilateral Agreement on the Lugi-Broglio Malindi Space Centre.

The Committee met with the Cabinet Secretary for Defence Hon. Aden Duale, who told the Members that the issues agreed on in the signed Treaty have not been implemented and Kenyans have not benefited in any way.

According to CS Duale the Space Centre was exclusively benefitting the Italian Government despite the fact that it was meant to be a symbiotic mutually beneficial relationship between the two governments. 

“The bilateral agreement was meant for scientific, technological and socio-economic development for both nations. The agreement has five implementing arrangements that included education training, telemedicine and establishment of a regional center for Earth observation. However, Kenyans are yet to see significant tangible benefits of this collaboration,” CS Duale said.

He further disclosed that as per the signed Agreement the Government of Italy was to remit 50 percent of the returns from any commercial contract it enters with third parties. However, according to the CS, the Space Centre has been reluctant to provide full disclosure of its commercial activities.

Hon. Koech sought to know why Kenya has not explored the exit clause in the Agreement. 

In his response, Hon. Duale told the Committee that the Government has a number of options including the exit clause. He however, advised Members to explore the Parliamentary process. 

Hon. Duale invited the Committee to visit the Space Centre and thereafter make a decision on whether to amend the Treaty and proceed or terminate the Agreement and look for other partners.

The bilateral agreement was signed back in 2016 in Italy and got ratified by the Kenyan National Assembly in 2020. It came into effect the same year after an exchange of notes between the two nations.