Parliament of Kenya has today played host to the Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Mr. Wamkele Mene, who is in the country on an official visit. 

The Secretary-General was received by the Senate Deputy Speaker Sen. Kathuri Murungi flanked by the Senate Majority Leader Sen. Aaron Cheruiyot who appreciated the AfCFTA efforts in facilitating trade among the African states. 

AfCFTA is the world’s largest free trade area bringing together the 55 countries of the African Union (AU) whose mandate is to create a single continental market with a population of about 1.3 billion people and a combined GDP of approximately US$ 3.4 trillion.

In a joint meeting with the Senate Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism and the National Assembly Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives at Parliament Buildings, Deputy Speaker Murungi pledged the Parliament of Kenya’s support in passing the necessary legislative and policy frameworks aimed at creating an enabling environment for trade and investments.  

He urged Senators and Members of Parliament to co-sponsor bills that create trade opportunities and promote businesses in Kenya for easier passage in both Houses. 

“Both the Senate Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism and the National Assembly Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives play a key role in policy coordination in regards to trade,” started Deputy Speaker. 

“When we do co-sponsoring of various pieces of legislation, we move very fast,” Senator Murungi added. 

Senator Cheruiyot, on his part, apprised Secretary-General Mene of the legislation that both the Senate and the National Assembly have passed since 2018 when the Agreement was established. 

“Parliament has passed various pieces of legislation aimed at fostering trade. Some of the Bills that we have legislated on include the Startup Bill 2022, the Prompt Payment Bill, the Konza Technopolis Bill 2023 and the County Licensing (Uniform Procedures) Bill 2022,” the Senate Majority Leader stated. 

He added that these Bills will go a long way in impacting the achievements of the AfCFTA Agreement as ratified by the Government of Kenya in 2018. 

Mr. Wamkele Mene acknowledged the Legislature’s role in enhancing economic and trade integration in Africa through the African Continental Free Trade Area. 

He beseeched the legislators to enact national legislation that not only reflects Kenya's interests but also aligns with the shared continental trade goals.

“Your advocacy on trade issues, your debates, votes, and ratifications of various AfCFTA legal frameworks, as well as your efforts to urge the government to address key issues, are all foundational to our collective success,” Mr Mene said.