– Advertisement –
On May 20, 2025, CARICOM and Kenya renewed their partnership with the appointment of a new Kenyan ambassador, Everlyne Mwenda Karis. The ceremony took place at the CARICOM Secretariat in Georgetown, Guyana.
CARICOM’s Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett, welcomed the ambassador and thanked Kenya for its strong role in helping Haiti. Kenya has sent over 800 personnel as part of an international mission to bring peace and stability to Haiti. Two Kenyan officers have died during the operation, and Dr. Barnett expressed sorrow and gratitude for their sacrifice.
Kenya’s involvement is not just about security. Since the first CARICOM-Africa Summit in 2021, Kenya has worked with Caribbean nations in areas like healthcare and banking, aiming to boost trade and development. Ambassador Karis spoke on behalf of President William Ruto and said Kenya is ready to work more closely with CARICOM on trade, diplomacy, and climate change.
The next CARICOM-Africa Summit will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on September 7, 2025. It will also mark CARICOM-Africa Day and is expected to strengthen ties between the two regions.
Despite progress, CARICOM faces several difficulties:
Haiti’s Crisis
The crisis in Haiti is urgent. CARICOM doesn’t have the military or financial strength to deal with it alone, so it relies on outside help, such as Kenya. If the mission fails, it could weaken support for future joint efforts.
Lack of Unity
CARICOM has 15 member countries with different priorities. It’s often hard to agree on joint actions, especially on important issues like migration and climate policy.
Weak Economies
Most CARICOM nations depend too much on tourism and a few exports. Building stronger local industries and trading more goods among themselves is vital but not easy in today’s economy. It is not yet clear whether CARICOM will negotiate collectively with the Trump administration over US import tariffs. CARICOM has often talked about acting with one voice on trade and economic issues, especially when dealing with larger powers like the U.S. But in practice, its 15 member states have different economic interests, which makes united negotiation difficult. For example:Diplomatic alignment varies—some members are more closely aligned with China, Venezuela, or Cuba, which affects their stance toward Washington.
Climate Threats
Climate change is a major threat, but getting funding to protect against it is tough. CARICOM speaks out often, but turning talk into real action needs better support from rich countries and international partners.
Reparations Movement
The push for compensation from former colonial powers is strong in CARICOM. Kenya’s new leadership role could help, but convincing wealthy countries to pay reparations remains a challenge.
Youth and Brain Drain
Many young people leave the region to find better jobs. CARICOM needs to invest in education, technology, and job opportunities to keep its talent at home.
In summary, the relationship with Kenya is promising. But for true progress, CARICOM must also fix its internal problems and become more united and self-reliant.
Source: CARICOM.
– Advertisement –
