Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has cautioned politicians against making utterances that could jeopardise Kenya’s trade relations with Sudan, warning that such statements risk undermining the country’s tea exports and adversely affecting farmers.
Speaking after negotiations with his Ethiopian counterpart, Dr. Kassahun Gofe, on the Simplified Trade Regime (STR) Agreement in Mombasa, Kinyanjui said Sudan remains a critical market for Kenyan tea, and unguarded political comments on foreign affairs could have far-reaching economic consequences on trade.
“Sudan is a significant export market for our tea and has larger trade relations. If our leaders continue to interfere in foreign matters, the people who will suffer the most are the farmers back in the villages,” he said.
The CS expressed concerns over recent public utterances by some political figures regarding regional conflicts, stressing the importance of maintaining Kenya’s neutral foreign policy.
“Kenya respects all our neighbours, including Sudan. When internal issues arise and our input is sought, we do not take sides,” Kinyanjui said, reaffirming the government’s commitment to peaceful coexistence and regional cooperation.
He further underscored the government’s efforts to strengthen infrastructure to support trade, particularly with Ethiopia.
The CS noted that the Lamu Port has the capacity to accommodate larger vessels and is strategically positioned to serve Ethiopian markets more efficiently than existing routes.
“The Lamu Port has the potential to surpass the Port of Mombasa in handling larger ships. Enhancing its operations will be mutually beneficial to both Kenya and Ethiopia,” he stated.
Kinyanjui added that the development of the Lamu-Ethiopia corridor would stimulate growth in northern Kenya, similar to how towns developed along the Mombasa-Kisumu route.
“If we invest in this corridor, northern Kenya will open up significantly and experience transformative development,” he said.
