State Department for Trade

The Nairobi City County Government is seeking to partner with the State Department for Trade to advance trade initiatives and promote sustainable economic growth across the county.

The proposed partnership will focus on strengthening traders and MSMEs through capacity building, technical support and institutional collaboration.

The collaboration will focus on building the capacity of traders on business management,market access,trade facilitation and equipping them with the knowledge and skills needed to compete in both local and regional markets including opportunities available under the East African Community(EAC)and the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA).

Beyond the training,the partnership will also enhance trade mapping, data collection and data-driven research to guide evidence-based interventions that promote inclusive development for both formal and informal traders.

The Director for Domestic Trade, Rose Masita, chaired a meeting attended by officials from both the State Department and Nairobi City County Government to explore areas of collaboration and implementation.

The dairy value chain is a vital economic pillar,supporting millions of livelihoods from farmers and transporters to processors, retailers and consumers.

The Principal Secretary for Trade,Regina Ombam together with the Principal Secretary for today presided over the handover of two solar-powered bulk milk coolers in Muhoroni Sub County under the Livestock Value Chain Support Project.

The coolers, each with a capacity of 1,000 litres, will serve over 600 dairy farmers in Chemelil and Koru/Muhoroni wards by reducing post-harvest losses, improving milk quality and enhancing market access. Collectively, the facilities are expected to support the aggregation of approximately 2,000 litres of milk daily valued at about KSh 98,000, translating to an estimated annual value of KSh 35.8 million.

PS Ombam highlighted that these interventions are part of the government’s efforts to revitalize the dairy sector in the country which aims to boost value addition and create sustainable jobs.

She further called for collective support to strengthen the dairy value chain as a pathway to reducing poverty and creating jobs and reiterated the State Department’s commitment to working with farmers through capacity building and improved market access both locally and internationally.

The Principal Secretary State Department for Trade, Regina Ombam appeared before the Parliamentary Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives to present the State Department’s Financial Estimates for the Financial Year 2026/2027.

The appearance forms part of the constitutional and legislative requirement for Principal Secretaries to appear before various Parliamentary Departmental Committees to facilitate legislative oversight, public accountability, and the review of national resource allocation. Through these engagements, Parliament examines budgetary proposals and monitors the implementation of government programmes and policies.

The committee sessions further ensure that State Departments remain financially transparent, legally compliant, and aligned with national development priorities while promoting efficient utilization of public resources. During the presentation, the Principal Secretary highlighted the Department’s key priorities and programmes aimed at strengthening trade, expanding market access, promoting exports, and enhancing regional and continental trade integration.
In attendance were officers from , ,, ,,

The Second Kenya-Pakistan Joint Trade Committee held in Islamabad, Pakistan provided an important platform for advancing the longstanding economic and commercial relations between Kenya and Pakistan, with the Kenyan delegation led by Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam. The engagements reflected the mutual commitment of the two countries to strengthening bilateral trade, fostering investment cooperation, and promoting sustainable economic growth for shared prosperity.

During the meeting, both sides reaffirmed their resolve to enhance market access, strengthen customs collaboration, facilitate business-to-business linkages, encourage participation in trade fairs and exhibitions, and address non-tariff barriers affecting trade between the two nations. The discussions further underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and cooperation in unlocking the full potential of the Kenya–Pakistan trade partnership.

The two countries also agreed to expedite the conclusion of several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in areas including trade promotion, customs cooperation, investment facilitation, standards and quality assurance, pharmaceuticals, information and communication technology, and tourism. Kenya expressed interest in expanding exports of tea, coffee, avocados, flowers, leather products, halal products, dairy products, and other agricultural commodities, while Pakistan highlighted opportunities in rice, pharmaceuticals, surgical instruments, tractors, sports goods, fruits, vegetables, spices, and engineering products.

Officials from the State Department for Trade continued the fact-finding mission on illicit trade at Kenya’s key entry and exit points, with the exercise entering its second day in Kwale County.

The delegation, led by Deputy Director of Trade Mathew Komen, paid a courtesy call on the County Commissioner’s office in Kwale before proceeding to the County Government offices, where they held discussions with county officials, led the County Trade Officer Mwanasiti Mohammed.

The engagements provided valuable insights into the economic activities within the border county and highlighted emerging challenges associated with illicit trade. Key issues raised included porous border points, limited market surveillance mechanisms, territorial challenges, cyber-related threats and maritime fraud.

The discussions emphasized the importance of enhanced inter-agency collaboration, strengthening market surveillance teams and sustained public sensitization efforts in addressing illicit trade and its impact on the economy and public safety.

The government remains committed to strengthening coordination among relevant agencies and reinforcing national frameworks aimed at combating illicit trade across the country.

Officials from the State Department for Trade are currently undertaking a fact-finding mission across Kenya’s major entry and exit points to gather practical insights into how illicit trade manifests and identify effective interventions to strengthen legitimate trade practices.

The mission seeks to assess the level of multi-agency coordination in combating illicit trade, identify gaps affecting enforcement and collaboration and document good practices that can be scaled up across the country.

As part of the exercise, teams visited key trade corridors in Mombasa and the Kenya–Ethiopia border in Marsabit.

In Mombasa, a team led by Deputy Director of Trade Mathew Komen paid a courtesy call to the County Commissioner for Mombasa, Mohammed Hassan, before proceeding to the Kenya Ports Authority for engagements with a multi-agency team comprising officers from various Government institutions mandated to facilitate and regulate trade.

The meeting brought together representatives from the Kenya Revenue Authority, Anti Counterfeit Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, KenTrade, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, Kenya Transporters Association among others.

Discussions focused on operational experiences, enforcement challenges and collaborative mechanisms aimed at safeguarding legitimate trade while curbing illicit commercial activities at the port.

Meanwhile, at the Kenya–Ethiopia border, a team led by Deputy Director of Trade Chelego paid a courtesy call to the County Commissioner for Marsabit James Kamau. During the engagement, the County Commissioner highlighted the socio-economic challenges affecting cross-border trade, including the complexity of monitoring illicit trade activities within the vast geographical expanse of the county.

The discussions in Marsabit underscored the need for enhanced inter-agency coordination, improved information sharing, and stronger stakeholder collaboration in addressing illicit trade and strengthening legitimate trade practice

3 officers from the State Department for Trade are attending the Trade Academy Trade Policy Course in Stockholm, Sweden, to strengthen their capacity in international trade policy formulation, negotiations, and implementation of global trade rules. The training programme aims to equip the officers with practical skills for advancing Kenya’s trade agenda and enhancing the country’s participation in regional and international markets.

The course covers critical areas including trade agreements, market access, rules of origin, export development, and trade facilitation. Through the programme, the officers are gaining deeper understanding of modern trade dynamics and practical approaches to designing and implementing effective trade policies that respond to emerging global economic trends.

The training is expected to strengthen the institutional capacity of the State Department for Trade in developing evidence-based policies, supporting exporters, and promoting Kenya’s competitiveness in regional and global markets. The knowledge acquired will also contribute to enhancing trade negotiations and advancing the country’s economic growth agenda through increased market opportunities for Kenyan products and services.

On behalf of the Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam, Secretary Administration Patrick Mukuria, paid a courtesy call to H.E. Amb. Dr. Andrew Karanja at the Embassy of Kenya in Brasília, where they engaged in discussions aimed at strengthening Kenya–Brazil trade and investment relations. The discussions focused on strategies to strengthen commercial/economic diplomacy and diversify Kenya’s export markets.

In line with the Integrated National Export Development and Promotion Strategy, which targets a 25% annual increase in exports, the discussions explored practical approaches to enable Kenya’s key exports to pe*****te the Brazilian market. Particular emphasis was placed on the need to fast-track the establishment of the Kenya–Brazil Joint Trade and Industry Committee (JITC). The JITC is expected to provide a structured framework for addressing market access challenges, which acts as a barrier to our exports.

In addition, the meeting discussed ways of collaborating with relevant Brazilian government bodies in strategic sectors such as agriculture, agro-processing, manufacturing, renewable energy, technology transfer, and value addition.

Kenya has been selected to participate in the Africa Digital Access and Public Infrastructure for Trade Initiative (ADAPT), a flagship programme by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change aimed at transforming digital trade across the continent.

The Principal Secretary for Trade, Regina Ombam, hosted a delegation from the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, led by Country Director Magdalene Kariuki. The meeting centered on key priorities including digital payments and trade facilitation, laying the groundwork for Kenya's active engagement in the programme.

Operating under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework, ADAPT is designed to strengthen digital public infrastructure, enabling businesses to trade more efficiently across borders and access broader regional and international markets.

A key focus of the initiative is the empowerment of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), who stand to benefit significantly from improved access to digital trade systems. By fostering a more inclusive and efficient trading environment, the programme aligns closely with Kenya's broader agenda for trade development and economic transformation.

The Principal Secretary for Trade Regina Ombam held a bilateral engagement with Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya H.E. Catherine Siv Moe as the two countries continue to strengthen diplomatic and economic relations.

The discussions underscored a shared commitment to transitioning the Kenya–Norway partnership beyond traditional development cooperation toward enhanced private sector investment, trade, and broader economic collaboration. Key areas of focus included the digital economy, sustainable development, improving the investment climate, and strengthening multilateral cooperation.

The meeting also formed part of ongoing preparations for the anticipated Presidential visit to Norway which is expected to further deepen bilateral ties and unlock new opportunities for trade and investment between the nations.