EU-Kenya trade deal suspended raising concerns in second-hand sector

The suspension follows a petition claiming Kenya signed the deal without properly consulting its East African Community (EAC) partners. The Kenyan government has now moved quickly to contain the fallout after the East African Court of Justice halted implementation of the EU–Kenya Economic Partnership Agreement .

Kenya’s Trade Minister Lee Kinyanjui stressed that the EPA remains crucial for Kenyan exporters and essential for jobs across its agricultural and manufacturing sectors. He pledged uninterrupted market access for European partners while Nairobi appeals the ruling.

For Europe’s second-hand textile industry, the decision injects a new element of risk into an already fragile global supply chain. Kenya is a key sorting and transit hub for used clothing, and any legal uncertainty around trade frameworks can influence logistics, compliance requirements and long-term investment decisions.

The Kenyan government is now seeking to overturn the suspension and is engaging with other EAC member states to clarify regional obligations. The outcome will be closely watched in Europe, where recyclers, sorters and re-use operators depend on East African stability to maintain volumes, meet sustainability targets and navigate increasing regulatory pressures at home.

Read more: The Kenya Times