Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui has cautioned politicians against making utterances that could jeopardize 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 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 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 neighbors, including Sudan.
