Kate Osamor appointed UK's Trade Envoy to Kenya

The British High Commission in Nairobi made the announcement on Monday, with Osamor also set to serve as the trade envoy to Tanzania, Uganda and Rwanda.

Osamor, whose role includes identifying trade and investment opportunities for growth and job creation, called for joint efforts in fostering collaboration.

The Labour and Co- operative Party Member of Parliament for Edmonton and Winchmore Hill, is among a slew of 32 parliamentarians from the UK, who will serve in various countries.

The 32 trade envoys, covering 79 markets across 6 continents, are appointed from all political parties based on their skills and experience.

“I am thrilled to announce my appointment as the trade envoy to East Africa. I look forward to working closely with our partners to strengthen our ties. Together, we can enhance trade, foster collaboration, and create opportunities for shared prosperity,” she noted.

Traditionally, trade envoys are assigned to the voluntary and unpaid role by the UK Government to deliver economic benefits for the UK and the country or region they are assigned to.

According to the UK’s Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, trade and investment are key to delivering economic growth.

“That’s why I’ve launched a new team of Trade Envoys, who will use their experience, expertise and knowledge to unlock new markets around the world for British businesses, drumming up investment into the UK and ultimately driving economic growth," noted Reynolds.

A trade and investment factsheet seen by Citizen Digital and dated January, 31 2025 shows that Kenya was the UK’s joint 72nd largest trading partner in the four quarters to the end of Q3 2024 accounting for 0.1% of total UK trade.

“Total trade in goods and services between the UK and Kenya was £1.7 billion (approximately Ksh.273.1 billion) in the four quarters to the end of 2024, an increase of 8% compared to the same period in 2023.”