Govt on the spot over EU trade talks

According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission, the deals could push some farmers out of business and destroy their means of livelihood especially after the EU subsidised its agricultural products. Photo/FILE  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary
The Kenya Human Rights Commission took the government to task on negotiations which according to them “are harmful to the economy.”
According to them, the deals could push some farmers out of business and destroy their means of livelihood especially after the European Union subsidised agricultural products.
KHRC also faulted the negotiation process on the basis that no consultations were carried out.

 By THOMAS KARIUKI
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A three judge bench has ordered the government to ensure transparency in economic deals with foreign investors.

Justice Isaac Lenaola, Lady Justice Mumbi Ngugi and Justice David Majanja ruled that:

“The State should publish information within thirty days regarding the negotiations for public awareness and in order to stimulate public debate.”

The Kenya Human Rights Commission took the government to task on negotiations which according to them “are harmful to the economy.”

“The agreement is not in the interests of Kenyan farmers and is likely to have detrimental effects to the economy of the country.

“The impact of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) on the Kenyan economy has revealed that their coming to force will lead to massive losses in agricultural produce,” the petitioners argued.

DESTROY LIVELIHOODS

According to them, the deals could push some farmers out of business and destroy their means of livelihood especially after the European Union subsidised agricultural products.

“Studies carried out by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) on behalf of the Ministry for Trade and Industry found that EPAs could lead to food insecurity, undermine Kenya’s food sovereignty and ultimately an economic collapse.

“Operationalisation of EPAs will affect many sectors of the economy as they will open the Kenyan market to cheap and heavily subsidised products from the EU. This will lead to unfair competition and the closure of Kenyan manufacturing industries,” they added.

Kenya has taken several measures in a bid to reform the trade sector; key among them is the move towards a free market economy.

The country has also engaged in several trade arrangements and negotiations with the EU.

NO CONSULTATION

The negotiations are part of a new trading arrangement that was set to bring about rapid and almost absolute liberalisation of trade between the EU and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries.

KHRC faulted the negotiation process on the basis that no consultations were carried out.

They said: “The government refused to institute a mechanism that would ensure that the people, not drawn only from the private sector, have access to information and the opportunity to express their opinion at all stages of the negotiations.”

The State counsel dismissed the petitioners’ claims as premature, moot and based on misplaced presumptions and falsehoods.

Mr Eric Ronge, director of External Trade, maintained that imports from the EU will be charged similar duty as those from other countries.