The ITUC-Africa delegation while praising Kenya for its strides at improving trade facilitation through infrastructure development and visa regime arrangement, called for more efforts to deepen and support the growth of intra-African trade based on shared principles and collective effort. The delegation also affirmed that African trade unions are convinced that whole-of-society, whole-of-stakeholders and whole-of-agencies approaches are critical for the successful implementation of the AfCFTA. Similarly, the visiting delegation impressed on the Ministry to ensure the inclusion of COTU-K representatives in the National Implementing Committee (NIC) of AfCFTA in Kenya. This request is germane since workers are central to the production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. ITUC-Africa General Secretary, Comrade Joel Odigie emphasized the critical role that trade unions play in ensuring that workers’ rights are safeguarded as Kenya moves forward with its commitments under the AfCFTA agreement. The delegation also urged the Kenyan government to sign, ratify and apply the African Union Free Movement Protocol.

As Kenya seeks to harness the potential of the AfCFTA, there is the need for workers’ voices to be represented in the national committee responsible for overseeing the implementation of the agreement. The visiting team emphasized the importance of ensuring that trade policies are inclusive, equitable, and considerate of labour standards and worker welfare.
Responding, the Hon. Salim Mvurya thanked the delegation for recognizing the strides made by Kenya in the area of trade and investment. He appreciated the courtesy call from Africa’s organised labour as a demonstration of Kenya’s vibrant democratic environment. He emphasized the Ministry and Government’s disposition towards open consultation and collaboration with critical stakeholders such as the trade unions.
Hon. Mvurya also informed the delegation of the steady strides that Kenya is making in the implementation of the AfCFTA. He pointed out that Kenya has moved from two (2) container shipments to African countries in 2022 to 100 containers in 2024, and continues to work tirelessly to increase its export quota to African states. He alluded to logistics challenges (freights and cargo handling) as some of the initial toothing encumbrances Kenya faced in its first export operation under the AfCFTA. Fortunately, African governments have realised the need to address this challenge via the effective implementation of the Africa Infrastructure Masterplan. Hon. Mvurya affirmed Kenya’s readiness to support initiatives that would further the effective implementation of the AfCFTA such as the inclusion of labour provisions in the AfCFTA protocols. He also expressed the commitment of the government of Kenya to continue to play progressive roles towards the advancement of the development and integration aspirations of Africa. Further, Hon. Mvurya expressed the country’s willingness and readiness to champion initiatives and ideas necessary for the better advancement of the AfCFTA ideals.
In closing, Hon. Mvurya reiterated and acknowledged the pivotal role of trade unions in shaping the future of Kenya’s economic integration under the AfCFTA framework. The meeting concluded with a commitment from the Ministry to further engage with COTU-K and ITUC-Africa in the pursuit of this objective. This development marks a significant step in strengthening the partnership between trade unions and government in advancing the goals of the AfCFTA while protecting the rights of workers in Kenya.

Released by ALREI, ITUC-Africa.