Kenya will still maintain historical ties with United Kingdom and the European Union, following Britain’s exit from the EU, State House Spokesman Manoah Esipisu has said.

Esipisu, who was speaking during a media briefing at state house yesterday, said that president Uhuru supports Britain’s decision and that the government is closely monitoring the progress of the European Union and the impact of Britain’s exit to the economy.

“The President is a believer in democracy as principle and the people of the United Kingdom exercised that right by voting to leave the European Union. Kenya will of course maintain its historical ties with Britain while continuing to engage a stable European Union,” Esipisu said.

Esipisu also said that although the effects of Brexit will not be felt immediately since Britain and the European Union are bound to negotiate the exit over a length of time, it will now be necessary for both Kenya and the East African region at large to negotiate fresh bilateral agreements with the United Kingdom.

“Our current engagements are within the framework of the EPAs with the EU. Our negotiation of a new framework for bilateral trade is something that, if needed, will happen over a period of time and we will continue to engage the United Kingdom on this issue,” said Esipisu.

On Thursday last week, Britain in a historic move voted to pull out of the European Union. Leave won by 52% to 48%.The referendum turnout was 71.8%, with more than 30 million people voting. It was the highest turnout in a UK-wide vote since the 1992 general election.