Doing business in Kenya: updates regarding COVID-19

Nieuwsbericht | 21-05-2020 | 08:55

Update 21 May 2020

• Several European countries, including the Netherlands, have put together a package of support to bolster food security in Kenya. This includes help for farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs, as well as assistance in the fight against locusts. The EU is also focusing on strengthening sustainable trade with Kenya, for instance by supporting additional cargo flights. Find the press release here: https://bit.ly/2XcNCAu
• As per the Presidential Directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta on 16 May 2020:
  • From 17 May 2020 there is a cessation of movement of persons into and out of Kenya through the Kenya-Tanzania and Kenya-Somalia international borders; movement of cargo is exempted.
  • Drivers of cargo vehicles into Kenya will be subjected to mandatory testing for Covid-19; and will only be granted entry if they test negative for the virus.
  • The nationwide dusk to dawn curfew (1900hrs-0500hrs) is extended for 21 days until 06 June 2020.
  • The cessation of movement into and out of the counties of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Mandera is extended until 06 June 2020.
• The Kenya Ports Authority extends free storage period for import and export containers. The extension is valid for 90 days from 18 May 2020 and is subject to review thereafter depending on the business dynamics. Find details here: https://bit.ly/3g7mR9b
• The EU will impose stricter measures on the import of Kenyan beans, which will be subject to mandatory 10% sampling checks on residue levels. This is effective from 26/05/2020, see:  https://bit.ly/2WKx8jQ
• Kindly find in the link the new Legal Notice 78 by the Kenya Bureau of Standards, in which it is states that plants, seeds and planting materials are exempted from the requirement of Pre-shipment Verification of Conformity requirements (PVOC). See: https://bit.ly/2AGzYxH
• Ministry of Agriculture provided basic potato seed to counties for multiplication  https://bit.ly/2ZlxeA5
• The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) undertook a survey on the Socio-Economic Impact of COVID-19 on Households to aid the formulation of strategies and policies.  https://bit.ly/2zdfTPa

Further information and useful links

Below we provide an overview of useful websites based on the type of questions we receive. In case you have suggestions for important and useful additions to this list, kindly share them with us by sending us an email, nai-lnv@minbuza.n.l

• For Dutch entrepreneurs that are doing business in African countries, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency made an overview of useful information in Dutch.
• A number of frequently asked questions for entrepreneurs are provided by the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency here.
• The European Commission’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes a number of restrictions to transport, which can be found on the website of the European Commission.
• The Kenya Private Sector Alliance has opened a 24-hour call center and information portal for businesses. You can find more information on their website.
• This website gives an overview of information provided by the Government of Kenya on COVID-19 related measures, created by the Netherlands Embassy.
• Please find details and ananalysis of the changes contained Tax Law Amendments Act of 25 April 2020 by Price Waterhouse Coopers here. As well as an analysis on the proposed Finance Bill, which was published on 5 May 2020 here: https://pwc.to/3cwVd2Z.
• The EU delegation in Kenya has published a factsheet on available funding opportunities to leverage investments by the private sector in Kenya. You can find the factsheet here.

Events

Due to the COVID-19, many of the upcoming events have been rescheduled. As soon as new dates have been confirmed we will share them in our agenda.

COVID-19 in the Netherlands

For questions regarding travel restriction for the Netherlands, travelling abroad and visas, have a look at information from the Netherlands government here.
More general information about COVID-19 in the Netherlands can be found here.

Important note

Owing to changing nature of the COVID pandemic, the current situation and government measures in place are continuously evolving. Please continue to update yourself on the must current state of affairs, including by verifying information with the relevant business associations or your local partner.

Together we will get through these tough times. Stay safe

Questions for the agriculture department can be addressed directly to nai-lnv@minbuza.nl. Questions on general trade can be direct to nai-ea@minbuza.nl. For any other questions for the Embassy, this website links to the general contact information of the Netherlands Embassy in Nairobi.
For the latest updates follow us on twitter on @NLAgiKenya and the Netherlands Embassy on @NLinKenya and Facebook.