Mandate and Functions

The Kenya Trade Remedies Agency (KETRA) derives its mandate from the Kenya Trade Remedies Act No. 32 of 2017, Executive Order No. 1 of 2020, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) rules and procedures. This includes adherence to the WTO Agreements on Anti-Dumping, Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and Safeguards.

As Kenya's designated authority on trade remedies, KETRA is responsible for implementing the country's trade defense mechanisms. Its purpose is to foster fair competition, shield domestic industries from the detrimental effects of unfair import practices, and contribute to a stable, predictable, and rules-based international trading environment. The Agency's mandate is threefold:

1. Administering and Enforcing Trade Remedies

KETRA administers, implements, and enforces trade remedy measures in Kenya, aligning with both national legislation and WTO regulations governing the application of trade defense instruments such as anti-dumping, countervailing, and safeguard measures.

To fulfill this, the Agency conducts objective, transparent, and evidence-based investigations into allegations of unfair import practices, including dumping, subsidization, and sudden import surges. These investigations assess whether such practices cause or threaten to cause material injury to domestic industries.

KETRA ensures that trade remedies are applied fairly, proportionately, and in compliance with international standards, while balancing the interests of producers, importers, exporters, consumers, and the broader economy.

2. Implementing and Domesticating WTO Trade Remedy Frameworks

KETRA operationalizes Kenya's obligations under the WTO Agreements on Anti-Dumping, Subsidies and Countervailing Measures, and Safeguards. It achieves this by establishing the necessary institutional framework for investigating, determining, and applying trade remedy measures.

The Agency builds technical capacity, offers guidance to stakeholders, and raises awareness about trade remedy mechanisms. This empowers Kenyan industries to effectively identify, report, and respond to unfair international trade practices.

Through this function, KETRA promotes adherence to international trade rules, ensuring that Kenyan industries can compete on a level playing field in domestic, regional, and global markets.

3. Promoting Industrial Competitiveness and National Development

KETRA supports Kenya's economic development objectives by promoting fair trade, enhancing the competitiveness and sustainability of domestic industries, and safeguarding strategic sectors from injurious unfair import trade practices.

The Agency contributes to national development priorities outlined in the Kenya Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) frameworks. It supports growth in key sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture, food security, and value addition.

Through effective trade remedies administration, KETRA fosters job creation, investment promotion, industrial growth, economic resilience, and advances Kenya's participation in regional and international trade.

In pursuit of its mandate, the Kenya Trade Remedies Agency (KETRA) undertakes the following core functions:

Ø  Conduct Trade Remedies Investigations

Investigate and evaluate allegations of dumping, subsidization, and other unfair import trade practices affecting domestic industries, and determine the extent to which such practices cause or threaten to cause material injury to local producers.

Ø  Assess Applications for Safeguard Measures

Investigate and evaluate requests for the application of safeguard measures arising from increased imports that cause or threaten to cause serious injury to domestic industries, and recommend appropriate remedial action in accordance with national legislation and WTO rules.

Ø  Promote Awareness and Capacity Building

Undertake public awareness programmes, stakeholder sensitization initiatives, and capacity-building activities to enhance understanding of trade remedies and strengthen the ability of domestic industries and other stakeholders to utilize trade defence instruments effectively.

Ø  Develop and Disseminate Trade Remedies Information

Develop, publish, and disseminate manuals, guidelines, codes of practice, investigation procedures, determinations, and other information necessary for the transparent and effective administration of trade remedies in Kenya.