ministry of labour and east african...

Issue 32 - April 2016 1

JUMUIYA NEWS

South Sudan Becomes EAC’s 6th Partner State

ISSUE 32 - APRIL, 2016

MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EAST AFRICAN AFFAIRS

Issue 32 - April 20162

JUMUIYA NEWS

South Sudan’s admission into the EAC - Opportunities and Challenges

You are serving poor East Africans, Magufuli tells EAC staff – with a warning

The future of East Africa lies in successful intergration

Principal Secretary, State Department of East African Affairs, Ms Betty Maina – Profile

The Western Kenya tourist attractions– amazing and endless

EALA identifies governors as integration ambassadors

African Development Bank Invests Big In the EAC

Williab HabweSamar Al-Kindy

Editorial Advisor/PatronBetty Maina, PS

EditorKaplich Barsito

Chair Badu Katelo

What influences competitive advantage of nations/regions

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Secretary Michael Okidi

MembersMark OgotSammy Wekesa Raphael Kanothi Sarah OgongoFrancis OumaGrace WasikeJohn MachariaWinnie Cheserem

ContributorsPhyllis KandieBetty MainaMichael OkidiSammy K. WekesaPhyllis WatwanaBen MwendwaMaureen NtariMark Ogot

PhotographersMichael OkidiBen MwendwaMaureen Ntari

East African Community Heads of State and other duignitaries during the 17th Summit meeting in Arusha on March 2nd, 2016

Jumuiya News is the official magazine of Ministry of Labour and East African Affairs . It is published quarterly by the State Department of East African Affairs.


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The journey to the EAC intergration is steadily and firmly on course

When the Jubilee Government came to power in 2013, it pledged to support and provide

leadership for the East African Commu-nity Integration, for the prosperity of the Kenyan people and closer economic and socio-political interaction of all East Afri-cans.

It is in line with this pledge that the Min-istry of Labour and East African Affairs, through the State Department of East African Affairs, is spearheading Kenya’s participation in the regional integration process as a staging ground for intra- African trade, the ultimate goal of which

is to turn the EAC region into a leading business and economic hub.

Our commitment and lead role in promot-ing and supporting the EAC integration agenda, for a closer socio-political and economic interaction of the people of this region, has realized several notable achievements recorded in the last three years of the Jubilee Administration.

The integration success stories are far and wide, tangible achievements are clearly visible and future prospects fore-seeable and bright. Briefly, some of the achievements under these efforts in-

clude, but are not limited to, a running list of economic and socio-political areas discussed below.

To promote cross border trade within East Africa and to ensure smooth, profit-able flow of goods across the region, this Ministry, in liaison with other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) are working towards the elimination of Non Tariff Barriers (NTBs) like roadblocks that promote corruption and impede trade.

These efforts have borne massive fruits, with a number of NTBs removed, and time spent on cargo movement along the

Labour and East African Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Phyllis Kandie, arrives at the Ngurudoto Mountain Lodge for the 17th EAC Heads of State Summit on March 2nd, 2016


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Northern Corridor linking the Port of Mom-basa with Kampala and Kigali, reduced from the previous 18 to 5 days at the very maximum.

Similarly, massive joint infrastructural proj-ects have been commenced among our Partner States, with a number of them be-ing completed in the last three years. They include the Voi-Taveta-Moshi-Arusha road which links the Northern and Central Cor-ridors, whose construction, commenced in 2014, is expected to be complete in three years.

Meanwhile, feasibility studies and design for the Malindi-Lunga Lunga-Bagamoyo road, meant to serve as a tourist linkage along the East Coast have been concluded, and Development Partners have already com-mitted to fund the project.

Cognizant of the abundant tourism potential and in an effort to promote the EAC region as a single tourist destination, the Partner States are working on a formula to make it easy for cross border tourist movements. In this regard, a single-visa has been agreed upon which Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda have already adopted. This enables tour-ists to visit the three countries at a reduced single-visa cost of USD100.

We are also implementing the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) concept, aimed at fa-cilitating faster cross border goods clear-ance through a system where all border clearance procedures for exit and entry of goods are done once, under the same roof, at the point of entry.

Five OSBP facilities are being put up at Kenya’s major border points with Tanzania and Uganda, with the facility at Taveta and Holili (on the Tanzanian side) already com-pleted and officially launched, while the oth-er facilities at Lunga Lunga, Isebania, Busia and Malaba are all nearing completion.

Already, Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania have concluded and signed a Bilateral Agreement meant to facilitate the operations of the OSBPs between them, while a similar agreement with Uganda is at an advanced stage of formulation.

To facilitate free movement of people across the region in line with the Common Mar-ket Protocol, the 17th Summit of the EAC Heads of State, adopted the implemen-tation of an internationalized EAC e-pass-port, whose full roll-out programme runs to 2018 when it is expected to effectively replace the current national passports. The e-passport meets the international require-ments for more secure travel documents and will therefore ease travel for East Afri-cans across the world.

In addition under the Northern Corridor arrangements, Kenya, Rwanda and Ugan-da have adopted the use of national Iden-tity Cards as travel documents to ease cross-border movements. This makes it easy for traders, students and ordinary people crossing the borders for either offi-cial or private business to do so with mini-mum hindrance.

To reduce the cost of doing business, min-imize duplication of clearance procedures and hasten cargo clearance at the ports of entry, the Community has created a Sin-gle Customs Territory under the Customs Union Protocol, which allows customs of-ficials of the Partner States to operate at the port of entry, like Mombasa, to clear cargo destined for their countries. This is already in effect, with Rwandese and Ugan-dan officials already stationed at the Port of Mombasa clearing goods destined for their respective countries.

Meanwhile, the EAC is committed to en-suring tighter and more profitable eco-nomic relations with other regional blocs, having already concluded negotiations on the Tripartite Free Trade Area (FTA) with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern Africa Development Corporation (SADC), a move aimed at creating a wider market of over 600 million people and a total GDP of US $ 1 trillion. This agreement further favours increased investment flows, competitive-ness and development of cross-regional infrastructure.

Further afield, negotiations for the EAC-Eu-ropean Union (EU) Economic Partnership

Agreement (EPA) were successfully con-cluded in November, 2014, offering wider market access for EAC products into the European market, thereby allowing EAC Partner States to benefit from advantages of economies of scale.

It is noteworthy mentioning the support of Development Partners in actualizing cer-tain key projects and programmes under the EAC integration, among them the set-ting up of video conferencing facility at the Partner States Ministries responsible for EAC affairs. This facility is anticipated to inspire savings in time and resources spent on travelling for meetings across the region, besides ensuring efficiency and prompt-ness in making resolutions for the progress of regional integration.

The cumulative benefits of the successful integration journey revolves around market expansion for local goods and services, with Kenya recording an increase in the val-ue of exports to its regional neighbors from Kshs 119.96 billion in 2013 Kshs 125.80 billion in 2014. The value of Kenya’s im-ports from her neighbors also increased from Kshs 28.82 billion to Kshs 36.63 billion during the same period.

It should be noted here that the recent ad-mission of the Republic of South Sudan into the EAC by the 17th Summit of Heads of State is a further boost to the regional bloc in terms of market expansion and invest-ment opportunities. For Kenya, this new development is of strategic importance, given that she had played at the center of the peace efforts that eventually gave birth to the new republic for close to two de-cades.

Similarly, Kenya’s economic ties with the Republic of South Sudan have been grow-ing over the years, with the value of exports of Kenyan goods to the young nation rising from Kshs 17.964 billion in 2012 to Kshs 19.823 billion in 2014.

These are indicators of a bright future for the regional bloc, and a clear demonstra-tion that the EAC Integration journey is firm-ly and irreversibly on course.

Labour and East African Affairs Cabinet Secretary Mrs Phyllis Kandie, speaks during the official launch of the Taveta/Holili One Stop Border Post (OSBP).


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You are serving poor East Africans, Magufuli tells EAC staff – with a warning

Citizens of the United Republic of Tanzania know their Presi-dent, John Pombe Magufuli, as a

straight-talking, committed servant of the people, a sworn enemy of graft and non tolerant of public resource wastage – at least going by the speed at which he has spent his first four months cleaning up the country’s institutions.

But for staff at the East African Commu-nity (EAC) Secretariat, the message that rang out loudly and clearly from the Sum-mit hall of Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge that Wednensday afternoon on March 2nd 2016 came like a bomb!

“The people of East Africa are poor; they do not have adequate resources; if you are working for them, bear in mind that these are poor people whose resources must be saved and not wasted; anybody scheming to misuse the resources of East Africans has no place at the Secretariat.” The message was accompanied by a tell-ing smile.

“You must serve East Africans fully aware that they are seeking prosperity and the scarce resources under your manage-ment must be utilized prudently for their benefit, and not for individual satisfaction of a few people”, was President Magufu-li’s message to the staff.

Speaking at the conclusion of the 17th Summit of the EAC, President Magufuli warned that wastage of community re-sources by staff entrusted with their man-agement, would be severely punished as would all kinds of irregular acquisition of such resources for individual, selfish gain.He told the community workers to strive to save the scarce resources at their dis-posal, and to initiate and implement pro-grams meant for the collective benefit of

the regional citizens.“Do not over-burden the citizens with unnecessary and irregular expenditures; work towards their prosperity by ensuring that every bit of resources attract tangible benefits to the people of this region,” he called out.

The President, whose tenure as EAC Summit chair was extended for another 12 months, urged the staff to strive to be problem solvers and not creators. He said that by accepting to work at the Secretar-iat, they had made a vow to work for the people of East Africa, and not to waste their scarce resources.

Anybody who is not ready to offer selfless service to the community, he cautioned, should seek a peaceful exit strategy since, as chair, he would be monitoring implementation of EAC programs and projects to ensure the Partner States get value for their money.

“Our focus is to uplift the living standards of the people of East Africa, and anybody whose interest is contrary to the inter-est of the vast majority of East Africans should declare in good time so that they give way to honest and committed indi-viduals,” he said advised.

President Magufuli caused laughter when he told the delegates that the EAC Heads of State had “made a big mistake” by extending his chairmanship of the EAC, because he would extend his anti-cor-ruption broom to the management of the secretariat and ensure everything is done right and in accordance with the rules governing the regional bloc.

Going by the speed at which the President has set about cleaning up his country’s in-stitutions, his sworn mission to spare no-

body in the fight against graft and public resource mismanagement, coupled with the powers entrusted to him as chair of the EAC for the next twelve months, there was adequate reason to for the EAC staff to take note of the warning.

At another function in Arusha, President Magufuli assured Tanzanian citizens that he would continue with his clean-up of the country’s institutions to ensure the gap between the rich and the poor does not continue widening.

Speaking during the launch of the Aru-sha-Holili road at Tengeru Market on the outskirts of Arusha town, President Ma-guful declared that he would ensure all public institutions function with honest and for the interest of the citizens.

He said he was the President of all Tanza-nians, and would not spare any graft cul-prits regardless of their political affiliations or status in society, until sanity and moral behavior are guaranteed in the manage-ment of the country’s resources.

“Take it from me: I have no business being the President if I just stand there watch-ing as a few people unjustifiably grab the country’s resources, while millions of our citizens continue languishing in poverty,” a tough-talking Magufuli told the cheering crowd.His Kenyan and Ugandan counterparts: Uhuru Kenyatta and Yoweri Museveni were present, as were Zanzibari Presi-dent Ali Mohamed Shein, South Sudan and Burundian Vice Presidents James Wani Igga and Joseph Butore and African Development bank’s Regional Director-Gabriel Negatu.

President Magufuli displays a copy of an EAC publication during the Summit. He has cautioned against wastage of EAC resources.

Anybody who is not ready to offer selfless service to the community, he cautioned, should seek a peaceful exit strategy since, as chair, he would be monitoring imple-mentation of EAC programs and projects to ensure the Partner States get value for their money.


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The 17th East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit that concluded in Arusha, Tanzania on

March 2, 2016, admitted the Republic of South Sudan as the 6th Partner State of the regional bloc.This was a bold step that clearly opens a new chapter in the EAC integration journey, unveiling new horizons for regional traders, investors, professionals and other entre-preneurs.South Sudan’s application to join the Com-munity was made over three years ago, but because the EAC Treaty sets out criteria which potential new members must meet, the verification process took a bit of time to be completely sure of the new nation’s conformity to these criteria before being admitted.

It had taken the EAC-appointed verifica-tion team several trips to South Sudan and several meetings with officials of the new nation before it presented a final recom-mendation for its admission.For the Government and people of South Sudan, the new development presents both opportunities and challenges. Op-portunities for trade and investment are abundant in the other EAC Partner States, and they will be free to move across their borders and exploit the same under the EAC Common Market.

The young nation will further get the op-portunity to copy best examples from the other Partner States, through attraction of consultancy services and exchange pro-grams in preferred technical areas, to help her various institutions move forward.

Sectors like agriculture, education and tourism, whose development could still be at infancy, will now get a boost for faster growth while other technical areas like In-

formation and Communication Technology (ICT), mass communication and other as-pects of human resource development, will readily benefit from their more advanced counterparts from the other Partner States.However, a few obvious challenges like playing catch–up with the other more es-tablished Partner States in terms of imple-menting regional integration agreements and protocols like the Customs Union, Common Market and Monetary Union will require extra efforts to surmount.

It is refreshing, however, that the high-level South Sudan Government delegation that was in Arusha, led by 2nd Vice President Mr James Wani Igga and Foreign Minister Dr Barnaba Mariel Benjamin, readily as-sured the Summit that their Government would ensure speedy implementation of the required policies and programs in line with the EAC integration agenda.

For other East Africans, the inclusion of South Sudan means an expanded market and increased investment opportunities. There will also be opportunities for employ-ment, consultancy and contracts for the supply of goods and services, given that the country is still in the process of putting up the necessary structures and policies for the growth of its institutions.

Put together and looked at in terms of eco-nomic and socio-political prosperity, the admission of South Sudan into the EAC bloc is an immensely beneficial decision whose fruits may come earlier than antic-ipated.

For a start, the regional states will now be fully involved in the South Sudan peace process, being one of their own. And the Government of South Sudan must now work expeditiously towards a lasting

peace, this being one of the criteria for membership to EAC. A permanent peace in South Sudan, which is now more like-ly than ever before, presents better pros-pects for continued peace and stability of the entire East African region.

The country’s students, who for long have been seeking higher education and pro-fessional training in the other EAC Partner States, will now move across their borders in search of such opportunities under less stringent conditions, while the country’s universities will benefit from harmonized syllabi with other regional universities, moderated by the Inter University Council for East Africa (IUCEA).

South Sudanese imported goods entering the region through the Port of Mombasa will now be subject to more favourable clear-ance procedures in line with the already existing East African Customs Union, while its citizens wishing to cross the border into other EAC Partner States will find it easier to move, in accordance with the freedoms under the Common Market.South Sudan’s admission into the EAC will most likely result in a fresh desire by oth-er neighbouring states like the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Sudan, to join the regional bloc.It is safe to predict that in the coming few years, we may witness a rapidly expanding EAC as neighbouring states seek mem-bership, unveiling new market frontiers and trade opportunities, subsequently posi-tioning itself as one of the fastest growing and economically viable regional economic blocs in the world.

There may be a few justifiable cases of skepticism about South Sudan joining the EAC at this particular time, especially informed by the recent political conflict in that young nation. However, but we must be alive to the current developments and spirited efforts towards peace and stabili-ty, moderated by regional neighbours and agreed on by the rival parties, in which a power sharing arrangement is being imple-mented, with erstwhile rivals slowly settling down to share power.

EDITORIALSouth Sudan’s admission into the EAC - Opportunities and Challenges

For other East Africans, the inclusion of South Sudan means an expanded market and increased investment opportunities. There will also be opportunities for em-ployment, consultancy and contracts for the supply of goods and services, given that the country is still in the process of putting up the necessary structures and policies for the growth of its institutions.

South Sudan will further get the opportunity to copy best examples from the other Partner States, through attraction of consultancy services and exchange programs in preferred technical areas, to help her various institutions move forward.


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EAC has a brand new member – Republic of South Sudan

The Republic of South Sudan has been admitted into the East African Community (EAC) as the sixth Part-

ner State, following a nod by the Commu-nity’s 17th meeting of the Heads of State Summit, and after nearly two years of ver-ification by appointed officials to authenti-cate the viability of its admission.In a communiqué signed by the Heads of State and read by outgoing EAC Sec-retary General, Amb. Dr. Richard Sezib-era, the regional bloc’s highest organ ap-proved a recommendation of the Council of Ministers to admit Africa’s newest state.United Republic of Tanzania’s President John Pombe Magufuli, whose tenure as chair of the EAC was extended by the Summit for a further one year, communi-cated the decision to admit South Sudan into the community.

In his address before and after the Sum-mit meeting at Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha, Tanzania, President Magufuli said the admission of South Sudan into the Community would come with new op-portunities as the bloc seeks to expand market for locally manufactured goods and services.

President Magufuli further announced other key decisions arrived at during the Summit which included the appointment of Mr Liberat Mfumukeko, immediate former EAC Deputy Secretary General, as the new EAC Secretary General to re-place the retiring Dr Sezibera, whose five year non-renewable tenure comes to an end in April.

He also announced the appointment of former Tanzanian President Benjamin William Mkapa as the lead facilitator for peace in the Burundi conflict, under the overall leadership of the EAC appointed mediator, Ugandan President Yoweri Mu-seveni.An elated delegation of South Sudan that had arrived for the summit in anticipation of their country’s admission, was full of

excitement as the announcement was made of the new developments.

The high powered delegation,, led by Vice President James Wani Igga, and com-prising Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Dr Barnaba Marial Benjamin, among others, expressed grat-itude to the EAC Summit for approving their admission into the community.“Our meeting here today, and Your Excel-lencies’ kind decision to accept South Su-dan into the EAC marks a new beginning for our young nation,” Mr Wani Igga said as he addressed the summit meeting.He said the admission of South Sudan into the EAC was a fulfillment of a dream by their forefathers, and was not strictly about economics,, politics, culture or eth-nicity, but had historical imprints with in-erasable marks for the present and future generations.

Mr Wanni Igga, who represented Pres-ident Salva Kiir Mayardit, said South Sudan’s admission into the EAC marks a decisive shift in the country’s foreign and economic policies to conform to the agreements and regional integration poli-cies guiding the EAC.

The country, he said, is tightly connect-ed historically, culturally, economically and ethnically with the other East African States, making its admission into the bloc a home-coming of sorts, and a new re-union with their brothers and sisters.

He enumerated the benefits accruable from South Sudan membership to the community as enhancement of cooper-ation with the region in terms of gover-nance, economic, political and defence policy areas, as well as enhanced positive interactions for the reduction and elimina-tion of both internal and external conflicts.“East African Community’s enlargement through inclusion of South Sudan will invariably increase trade and investment opportunities, and subsequently result in

the economic prosperity of the regional citizens,” he noted.

Subsequently, even as his country stands to benefit from the admission into the re-gional bloc, the entire region also stands a big chance of benefitting from the vast natural resources abundant in the young nation.Describing the EAC as one of the fast-est growing regional blocs in the world, Mr Wani Igga expressed his country’s commitment to a comprehensive reform program in the various integration-relat-ed fields, among them the adoption of fundamental principles of the communi-ty in areas of mutual trust and sovereign equality, peaceful coexistence and good neighbourliness, peaceful settlement of disputes and good governance.

The country would, according to the VP, implement the EAC Customs Union and Common Market protocols, and start im-mediate preparations for the Monetary Union. These efforts, he said, would re-quire a big leap in all spheres in order to catch up with the other Partner States; a challenge for which, he said, his country was fully aware of and prepared for.

However, he admitted that his country’s age and current capacity gaps would require assistance in areas of capacity building and institutional strengthening for the effective implementation of the vari-ous EAC programs.

On the political conflict that has affect-ed South Sudan in the recent past, Mr Wani Igga said his government was fully committed to the implementation of the signed agreement between the two sides, and expressed confidence that sustain-able peace and stability would be attained in the not so distant future.

Left to right: South Sudanese 2nd Vice President James Wani Igga, President Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Yoweri Museveni (Uganda), John Pombe Magufuli (Tanzania), Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Dr Ali Mohammed Shein (Zanzibar) and Burundi’s Vice President Dr Joseph Butore, pose for a group photo at the end of the 17th EAC Heads of State Summit in Arusha on March 2, 2016.


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The future of East Africa lies in successful intergration

In July, 2000, the East African Commu-nity was reborn, resurrecting an imme-diate post-independence dream that the

founding fathers of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania conceived in 1967, but which came crushing down ten years later, the consequence of unresolved ideologi-cal differences among the then Partner States.

The rebirth of the regional bloc thirteen years down the line was put in place with the biggest objective of developing poli-cies and programs aimed at widening and deepening cooperation among the Part-ner States in political, cultural, economic and social fields.

Significantly, the EAC came into being for purposes of facilitating regional economic prosperity and putting in place favorable conditions for easier cross border interac-tion, trade and investments.

For the avoidance of pitfalls that could derail the process, the EAC put in place four key pillars of integration: the Customs

Union, Common Market, Monetary Union and Political Federation, whose full im-plementation will unveil a fully integrated, economically prosperous and politically united East Africa.

Looking back at the 15 years of the Com-munity’s existence and taking stock of where we are, the achievements so far recorded and the opportunities available, we must remain justifiably optimistic that the journey to full EAC integration is firmly and irreversibly on course.

The notable growth in intra-EAC trade over the past years and the sustained elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) that have been affecting movement of goods along the major transport corridors and hindering regional trade, are some of the indicators of steady growth as well as a promising future for the regional bloc.

For instance, the value of exports from Kenya to the other EAC Partner States grew from US Dollars1, 280 million in 2010 to US Dollars 1,430.8 million in

2014, while the country’s imports from her neighbours also rose in value from US Dollars 256.8 million to US Dollars 416.9 million during the same period.

The signing of the EAC Common Market Protocol in July, 2010 and its subsequent ratification and implementation brought with it a number of benefits to Kenyans and other East Africans, with its accom-panying components of free movements of persons, goods, labour and capital and the rights of establishment and residence.

Simply explained, Kenyan and other East African entrepreneurs with interest across their national borders have the opportuni-ty to establish economic ventures in any part of the region, while skilled personnel and graduating professionals also stand the chance to secure employment or con-sultancy opportunities in any of the Part-ner States.

The Common Market has further seen increased free movement of services es-pecially in the financial and distribution

East African Affairs Principal Secretary Ms. Betty Maina hands over the State Department of EAC Affairs publications to the Dean School of Arts Prof. Issa Mwamzandi during an EAC Club Launch Day at the University of Kabianga,Kericho County on 8th Feb 2016


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sectors, with banking, insurance and retail market chains experiencing tremendous mobility across the region.

That explains how Kenya Commercial Bank, Equity Bank and other Kenyan finan-cial institutions have been able to establish branches in other EAC cities like Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Kampala and Arusha. Similar-ly, supermarket chains like Nakumatt have also spread their reach into these cities, while Azam Group of Companies from Tanzania has penetrated the Kenyan soft drinks and snacks market.

In areas of higher education, Kenyan stu-dents have greatly benefited from admis-sion into key higher learning institutions in Uganda and Tanzania, while universities like Mount Kenya have also established cam-puses in other countries like Rwanda.

On infrastructure, Kenya and her neigh-bours in collaboration with development partners, have undertaken infrastructur-al projects that have eased transport and facilitated fast movement of goods, hence reducing the cost of doing business across the regional borders.

Major roads like the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River road that was completed and com-missioned in 2012, the Voi-Taveta-Holi-li-Moshi road that connects the Port of Mombasa via the Northern Corridor to the Central Corridor, and whose works are on-going, are just a few examples of proj-ects that have opened up the region.

The services of these major infrastructural projects will be boosted by the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) facilities that have been constructed on all the major border crossing points between the Partner States. The Taveta/Holili OSBP has already been launched and is now operational whereas the facilities in Namanga, Lunga Lunga, Is-ebania, Busia and Malaba are nearing com-pletion.

These facilities are designed to reduce time wastage on border crossing procedures by undertaking clearance once at the point of entry.

In the area of communication, major steps have been taken to reduce roaming call charges, with Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda already operating under one area network, making it cheap and affordable to make calls between these countries.

The three countries have also fast tracked the use of national identification documents to cross the border, making cross border movement less cumbersome than before.

Under Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) Partner States have also undertak-en to recognize academic and professional qualifications, experience obtained, licens-es or certificates granted in other Partner States in order to facilitate free movement of professionals across the region.

In this regard, three professions, namely;

accountants, architects and engineers have signed Mutual Recognition Agreements while veterinarians, midwives and lawyers are in the process of negotiating and devel-oping their MRAs.

In the education sub-sector, the mobility of Kenyan students and teachers has also increased, leading to inter-university net-working and collaboration among students and academicians in the region.

There has also closer social interaction in areas of sport and other cultural activities, like the East African Secondary School games, the Jumuiya Cultural festivals and military games which foster regionalism amongst citizens of the Partner States.

Going forward, there is immense poten-tial for investments in the growing regional manufacturing, tourism, natural resource exploitation and capitals markets sectors for East Africans.These and many other benefits accruable from the EAC integration point to the im-portance played by the regional bloc in the socio-economic prosperity of the people.

Countries the world over are now angling for membership of regional economic blocs to attract and access markets while also ensuring strong economic bargaining pow-er at the global economic arena.

In the case of East Africa, the fruits of com-ing together as a bloc are already been reaped. An agreement for favourable busi-ness deals with the European Union (EU) has been signed under the EAC/EU Eco-nomic Partnership Agreement (EPA), while closer home, a tripartite arrangement with Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) and the Southern Afri-can Development Cooperation (SADC) is already in place. Since this is the way to go for countries to attain desired economic levels, the EAC is our single biggest hope for an economically prosperous, socially integrated and political united region free from poverty, insecurity and inter-state hostilities.

This is a regional bloc that is not built on quicksand. All negotiations and agree-ments are conducted through consensus, and signed as binding protocols that are not easy to undo. It is therefore a region that is designed to withstand minor ideo-logical differences and forge ahead for the benefit of the citizens.

Kenyans, like all other East Africans, stand a chance to benefit greatly from the suc-cess and growth of this highly promising in-tegration process. Together, let us embrace and seize this opportunity.

The Taveta/Holili One Stop Border Post recently launched in Taita Taveta County in March 2016


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The Western Kenya tourist attractions – amazing and endless

It is now time to take a break from the monotonous high class, established tourist sites and feel the wealth of fresh,

raw tourist attractions of Western Ken-ya. Nothing malicious against the world famous and established tourist wonders Kenya is known for; just a break from tra-dition, and a sojourn into the interior, qui-eter tourist attractions of Kenya.

With the East African Community (EAC) Single Tourist Visa now a reality, allowing tourists to move freely across the region without the rigours of several visa appli-cations at every country visited, a survey into other rich, hitherto untapped tourist potentials to exploit this new boost to the regional tourism industry, is a relevant idea. When Tourism Minister Najib Balala, in his first stint as Cabinet Minister in the Narc Government, mooted the idea of tracing the Obama Route as a tourist attraction, the thought of a Western Kenya tourist circuit was a rather remote imagination, or so it seemed. Last week, we decided to venture into the vast land of the River-Lake and Plains Nilotes (Luoland and Kelenjinland), stray-

ing into ‘Ingweland’ with our mind set for Alego Kogelo, the ancestral home of the world’s most powerful man, to be part of history’s witnesses, we were amazed at just how endowed this region is in terms of tourist attractions. We started from the borders of Kurialand near Maasai Mara, and went through the vast Southern Nyanza sugar belt, down the lake near Homa Bay and over to the scenic Lambwe Valley in the land of the Subas, the discovery of new tourist sites kept us going. It all started with a boat-ride in Lake Victo-ria off Mbita Point, a view of the scenic is-lands filled with rare bird species, a brush with dare-devil fishermen on razor-thin wooden canoes, paddling proudly into the depths of the lake and casting their nets in confidence for a catch. Deep inside the lake, are the elegantly po-sitioned Rusinga and Mfangano Islands, complete with natural gifts of green indig-enous canopy-covered vegetation, and tourist resorts of complete traditional set-tings and yet rich in comfort and fit for a royal visit.Rusinga Island and Mfangano Island Tour-

ist Resorts are not specifically designed for the bargaining, mean local tourists of journalistic extraction, so our visit is restricted to the reception and dining ar-eas. For room accommodation, advance booking is a condition, and we used this as a reason for crossing back to Mbita Point for a more affordable overnight stay at the more pocket-friendly hotels. The experience, however, is memorable; an endless mass of fresh water, excited birds circling fishing boats opportunisti-cally as others like the fish eagle swam proudly in the lake, picking small fish for their morning meals.

Despite the pressure of time, a few ru-mours must be confirmed- rumours of a national park with all the imaginable vari-eties of animals and birds. So, deep inside Homa Bay County, to the west, we divert for an experience of the Ruma Nation-al Park – an excellent home to the ele-gant dik diks, gazelles, antelopes, zebras, buffaloes and other wild animals. A tour around the park is a refreshing reminder of nature’s virgin beauty. We have a tight schedule and soon we are driving around the fish-landing

The Crying Stone: A tourist site in Kakamega County


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beaches, to Homa Bay and then through Rachuonyo and Nyakach sub-counties, on the way treating our sights to the im-posing Homa Hills, a short line of rugged hills near the lake and hosting hot volcanic lava emissions (bala) and providing a brief tourist relaxation as one deviates from the main road to marvel at nature’s wonders. Back on the road and we are soon driv-ing through the endless patch of green fields, the rice-covered Kano Plains, a perfect introduction to Kisumu City. We had just left Nyakach, the land of Om-weri. Remember the awe-inspiring reptile the locals believed to have strange powers, able to cause rainfall, drought, bad luck or good luck, depending on the whether lo-cals pleased or angered her?

Well, Omweri’s story is fast fading thanks to the gigantic Sondu Miriu Hydro-electric power project has seemingly interfered with her habitat - the Odino Falls where the proj-ect now stands, on the Sondu Miriu River. Kisumu is imposing and soothing - the ma-jestic buildings and notably executive urban setting now contrasting sharply with the natural setting of the Southern Nyanza and Nyakach regions we had already sampled. A young city in a hurry, Kisumu is congest-ed and busy, but the nearby Lake Victoria provides the perfect breeze to soothe tired limbs, and that’s why we first run to the fa-mous Lwangni Beach for a tilapia bite. The cool lake waves provide a temporary para-dise and we stay quite longer here, the lure of fish and lakeland ugali too strong to ignore. It’s evening and we must spend the night here (you don’t try venturing into Kogelo at night, security issues do not allow that) to await a fresh new day for the memorable Kogelo tour. As usual, and as stated in the unwritten laws guiding the life of a journalist, ex-penditures of all kinds should be limited to the thinnest minimum, and so we head to the vibrant Kondele Manyatta area, an active night life center, filled with bars, night clubs and other social joints, com-plete with live Benga and Ohangla music, for the usual affordable accommodation. Curiosity later drives us to dimly-lit back-streets of the city, to joints with such names as ‘Bottoms up’ and discover that they mean just that - bottoms up! Like those modern day churches where first time visitors are easily noticeable, our entry into one such joint elicits in-stant curiosity. Our looks, moves and even mannerisms are those of first-timers and so all gazes are trained on our table. But we are struck by the sheer strangeness

of everything. Here, blouses and skirts are luxurious items that can either be accepted or rejected, and their places immediately taken over by what in my childhood days, were body stockings, but which have been turned into trousers by the generation ‘Y’. In one corner is a semi-blouse that had completely failed to negotiate with the wearer, in the process extending its pro-test to this joint, and refusing to cover anything. The imitation of a skirt meant to give it company had also failed to reach a conclusive agreement with the unbothered wearer, and so refused to move anywhere closer to the upper end of the blouse. The result is a disastrous abandonment, by the two pieces of clothes, of the crucial part of the human body whose view, in the days of Amollo Onganda, my strictly tradition-al grandfather, would have attracted a full calabash of ‘manyasi’ ( a traditional herbal concoction that was meant to neutralize a bad omen or disease or curse, just what a Patriot would do to a Scud missile during the Gulf War). Of course, these are not the days of my grandfather, but if after only three decades of the old man’s departure, every human body part can be shamelessly visible, then in the days of my grandchildren, clothes will be history. Well, that is a side issue. We stay here lon-ger, undecided on what to do, as curious eyes trained on our table turn into suspi-cion, and the actors (this is pure drama, surely) begin to disappear into more faintly lit corners, while showing open disgust at our presence. The following morning’s drive to Alego Ko-gelo is full of suppressed curiosity, no won-der, driver Jakosoko is so excited, he ends up performing a careless art of driving, as the Toyota Hilux double cab pick-up hurtles down the Kisumu - Maseno road at a crazy 140 kilometers per hour. “Senator Barrack Obama Nyangoma Ko-gelo Secondary School”, screams the sign post that points at a deviation from the Kisumu - Siaya road, through a dusty but well-kept murram road that heads to the world’s most famous village. The small but busy and dusty market, Nyangoma, where Obama once helped his grandmother, Sarah to sell cabbages cou-ple of years ago, is a stone’s throw away from the home where Mama Sarah has now learnt to welcome all kinds of visitors from different parts of the globe. She has not changed much, except for a readjusted lifestyle that is constantly in the public glare. The wrinkles on her face have failed to interfere with her natural smile, and

so Mama Sarah greets us with the warmth of a caring grandmother. She greets every-body with a wide grin, the quality of behav-ior that was lauded even by the nosiest of foreign journalists in the days that anything negative could have affected her grand-son’s chance of ascending to the US pres-idency. Our curious eyes meet a photograph of a slender young man in a maroon shirt and brown trousers, carrying a bag of cabbages on his back as a slightly younger Mama Sar-ah smiles beside him. That was President Obama, then a young man in his twenties, escorting his grandma to the market. We are back on the road with big stories to tell (and of course, to exaggerate) about our memorable visit, and we head to the Nandi country, into the hands of sheer nat-ural beauty. The imposing, endless line of hills that stretch in your horizon as the tall trees that cover them split the evening sun-rays into sharp, yellow lights, is a sight to behold. The Nandi Hills and Escarpment, circling the green world-size fields of tea plantations and occasionally giving rise to meandering valleys and ridges, are quite breath-taking. Those with a phobia for heights are ad-vised to keep off these heights, but the strong-hearted can attempt a climb on Ndalat Hills, enroute to the hiistorical Sirwa Caves and the nearby spectacular water falls. But be warned; the Eastern Produce Kenya Ltd, a company holding exclusive owner-ship rights over these scenic caves, holds the right to permit or reject guest entry into these sites, so an advance booking is a pre-condition for any such attempts. On top of the Nandi escarpment, one can have a clear view of the green rows of farm-lands of rice and sugar cane plantations on the Kano Plains and the Nyando Sugar belt. The Eastern part of the Nandi Escarpment boasts of the Bonjoge National Reserve, an open woodland with shrubs, riverine vege-tation and grassland which is home to ba-boons, black and white colobus monkeys, red-tailed monkeys, the jackal and a host of other wild animals and different bird spe-cies. The break we take from these forays into the untapped tourist potentials of the West-ern Kenya tourist area does not signal the end of these wonders, as we never man-aged to visit the Crying Stone of Kakame-ga, a small wonder of endless water drip-ping from a rock. So, we must revisit these sites for more rumours in these pages.

A young city in a hurry, Kisumu is congested and busy, but the nearby Lake Victoria pro-vides the perfect breeze to soothe tired limbs, and that’s why we first run to the famous

Lwangni Beach for a tilapia bite. The cool lake waves provide a temporary paradise and we stay quite longer here, the lure of fish and lakeland ugali too strong to resist.


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Taveta/Holili one stop border post launched

Kenya is committed to the modern-ization and improvement of border management systems in an effort to

ease cross border movement and trade, according to Labour and East African Af-fairs Cabinet Secretary, Phyllis Kandie.Mrs Kandie said that continuous improve-ment of infrastructure and enhanced in-terconnectivity of the East African region would ensure steady flow of cross border business and prosperity of the region.

The CS said that Kenya and other East African Community (EAC) Partner States had committed themselves to speed up policies and programmes that would enhance smooth cross border trade, beginning with easing border clearance procedures to reduce time wastage and increase profit margins.

Mrs Kandie was speaking at the Taveta/Holili border where she and Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs, East African and International Cooperation, Dr Agus-tine Mahiga officiated at the official launch of the One Stop Border Post (OSBP) fa-cility.The OSBP facility, constructed on ei-ther side of the border, is designed to offer border clearance services once and under the same roof, with travelers and goods destined for either side being cleared once at the point of entry, unlike the current situation where clearance is done twice at both sides of the border.

Mrs Kandie said that Kenya would con-tinue to work with other EAC Partner States to promote policies aimed at sup-porting regional trade growth, cross bor-der movement and socio-economic and cultural interactions of East Africans.Such policies, she said, include imple-

mentation of rules and regulations limiting the existence and re-emergence of non tariff barriers which had been an imped-iment to trade and movement of goods along the region’s major corridors.

The cabinet Secretary emphasized that Kenya’s policy on efficient border man-agement systems recognizes moderniza-tion and automation of border clearance procedures. This will ensure minimal time wastage for travelers and goods destined to either side of the border.

On his part, Dr Mahiga, who is also the Chairman of the EAC Council of Minis-ters, reiterated the Community’s deter-mination to achieve free, faster and prof-itable flow of goods across the borders by eliminating activities that could under-mine business flow.

He hailed the OSBP concept as a major supporting factor in fulfilling EAC Com-mon Market goals through facilitation of faster cross border movement for goods, labour and capital.

The Minister noted that as the Community was heading towards a Monetary Union and a single currency regime, unhindered flow of goods and services across the region. This has been enhanced by the OSBP facilities along major border points was now a must to ensure faster eco-nomic prosperity.

He pointed out that apart from reducing cross border clearance costs and time, the OSBP would also foster mutual trust and cooperation among citizens of the two Partner States as their respective of-ficials would be working under the same roof in the service of the region’s citizens.

Dr Mahiga further observed that the Tav-eta/Holili OSBP would link the Northern Corridor and Port of Mombasa to Moshi, Arusha and the Central Corridor, and urged citizens of both Partner States liv-ing along the border to capitalize on the opportunities available and trade with their neighbours.

At the same time, Dr Mahiga decried the concern over destruction of roads by overloaded trucks and said that the East African Vehicle Load Control Bill 2015 that had been passed would address this concern.

Outgoing EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sezibera, who was also present, thanked Trade Mark East Africa (TMEA) for playing a lead role in actualizing the OSBP concept in collaboration with the EAC Secretariat and the governments of Kenya and United Republic of Tanzania.He said that the project, co-funded by the two Partners States and Develop-ment Partners, had been put up at a total cost of USD 12 million.

TMEA’s representative, Dr Theo Limo, hailed the OSBP concept as a major transformational step for the EAC region in terms of improving trade and cross border procedures.

He recalled that a total of USD 17 mil-lion had been invested in all the 13 OSBP facilities across the region, and affirmed that a return of USD 30, emanating from savings, will be expected for every dollar invested in the projects.

Labour and East African Affairs Cabinet Secretary Mrs Phyllis Kandie (front row, center) and Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr Augustine Mahiga, cut the tape to officially launch the Taveta/Holili One Stop Border Post (OSBP)


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When President Uhuru Kenyat-ta made changes in Govern-ment last December, Ms Betty

Maina’s appointment as Principal Secre-tary for State Department of East African Affairs added more impetus to the man-agement of Kenya’s participation in the EAC integration process.

An economic and management expert, Ms Maina brings to the State Department a wealth of experience and professional capability built over two decades of en-gagement with top-notch public and pri-vate sector organizations.

With more than 20 years’ experience in organisational leadership and develop-ment, and with an ability to prepare and implement strategic business plans and mobilise resources for implementation, Ms Maina’s personal traits place her at a strategic position to effectively lead the coordination of East African Community integration in Kenya.

She was Chief Executive of the Ken-ya Association of Manufacturers for 11 years (between June 2014–July 2015), where she not only oversaw the doubling of membership of the association, but also established seven satellite offices to compliment the services offered at the national office

The PS was also behind the successful implementation of the association’s stra-tegic plan, resource mobilization and fundraising and oversaw its revenue in-crease from Kshs 24 million to Kshs 400 million annually within her ten year stew-ardship.A keen interest and experience in Trade Policy, Regional Integration, Private

Sector Development, Industrial Develop-ment, Public Private Dialogue, Business and Society, Sustainable Development, Integrated development, Education, Corporate Sustainability, Government Relations and Advocacy are some of the traits with which she is armed, ready for the integration journey.

Ms Maina attained a Master of Science Degree in Development Administration and Planning from the University College of London in 1998, having studied Land Economics at the University of Nairobi where she attained her undergraduate degree in 1988.

She has also undertaken short courses in several key areas, among them Budget-ing and Financial Management (Harvard University), Developing Anti Corruption Strategies (World Bank, Washington), Gender and Development Planning (Uni-versity College of London), and the Role of Public Policy in Private Sector Devel-opment (Strathmore University College), to name just a few.

Regional integration, industrial develop-ment, private sector development, good governance and sustainable develop-ment are at the heart of Ms. Maina’s stra-tegic approach to business, and her new role of coordinating EAC affairs in Kenya may not present a big challenge, going by her experience and trainings.

Ms Maina’s achievements at KAM and other organisations earned her the Ken-yan presidential honour in 2013, giving her the title: Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS). Her active professional journey started in 1997 when she became Chief Executive

of the Institute of Economic Affairs in Ken-ya (IEA), an independent policy think-tank and advocacy, promoting public aware-ness on policy issues and advocating for the institution of socially responsive eco-nomic reforms, a position she held until 2003.From 1996 to 1997, she was a consul-tant, Local Government Reform Program in Kenya, and formed part of a team in-vestigating and suggesting alternative resource base enhancement for local authorities in Kenya, and which carried out revenue potential studies for Kisumu, Nakuru, Naivasha and Kakamega munic-ipalities.She was also team leader in programme initiation for the Migori Integrated Urban Development Programme between 1994 and 1996, and led a team that used par-ticipatory approaches to initiate an inte-grated urban development programme in the town.

Ms Maina was, during the same period, also Gender Advisor, Arid and Semi-Arid Programmes in (then) Keiyo and Marak-wet districts (now Elgeyo Marakwet County).

She was Research Assistant, United Na-tions Center for Human Settlements (UN/Habitat) between 1991 and 1993, having served as Assistant Project Officer, Shel-ter Afrique (1990-91) where she initiated the company newsletter, Shelter News.

Before joining the State Department, Ms Maina was the Director of her consultan-cy firm: BECEM Solutions and East Africa Regional Representative of Genetics:An-alytics, an economic consulting group with offices in Nairobi, New Delhi and Jo-hannesburg.

Principal Secretary, State Department of East African Affairs, Ms Betty Maina – Profile

Principal Secretary for State Department of East African Afffairs, Betty Maina (left) receives official documents from her predecessor, John Konchellah, when she took over office at Cooperative Bank building. Looking on is Integration Secretary, Barrack Ndegwa (right).


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14

High schools to spearhead integration agenda

High schools are key stakeholders in promoting the East African Com-munity (EAC) integration agenda.

To consolidate their synergies, several high schools have formed EAC clubs and put up strategies to build ‘Club blocks” targeting schools from the same frater-nity.

In pursuit of this venture, the secondary schools EAC clubs held their first joint activity at Mang’u High School to orient and ground themselves on their role in the EAC integration process. The clubs launched on 25th September, 2015 in Nairobi have rolled up activities in the Nairobi region and a clear road map to progressively move to the other regions.

The clubs particularly chose activities focussed to understanding the EAC in-tegration process in general and in par-ticular how to pursue individual careers geared towards regional integration and socio-economic development.Addressing the students, The Principal Secretary in charge of EAC Affairs, Ms Betty Maina, reiterated the important role youth play in the integration process. In a speech read by Social Affairs Senior As-sistant Director, Ms.Tabitha Masinjila, the PS elucidated the recognition the Minis-try accords the youth as key stakehold-ers in integration matters.

“Taking cognizant of the fact that the Youth are valued stakeholders in the EAC integration processes, and form a substantial part of the population SDEAA endeavours to ensure their involvement through education, training and main-streaming of their issues into EAC pol-

icies, programmes and projects” She said. The students were commended for their commitment in ensuring the clubs earlier launched took off. “Allow me to remind you that the EAC integration is an all-inclusive people centred, market driven process that touches on every as-pect of our country’s development and it is implemented under the four pillars of Customs Union; Common Market; Mon-etary Union; and Political Federation” The PS said, challenging them to participate in the regional events like the Biannual cultural JAMAFEST and EAC Secondary School Games and Sports as a way of showcasing their talents.

She accentuated the economic, infra-structural and other areas of integration, a process which provides for the social aspect of integration; which focuses on education and training, science and technology, health, culture and sports, social welfare, and enhancing the role of the youth in socio-economic devel-opment. Ms. Maina emphasized on the facets of social integration; harmonizing education systems and training curricu-la, promoting regional harmony through shared cultural, arts and sports activities, initiation of social welfare activities and developing regional policies on health and HIV and AIDS.

Addressing the opportunities present-ed for the students in the region, the EAC Affairs Chief Executive Officer un-derscored the importance of students equipping themselves for the same. She pointed out that initiatives to enhance student’s mobility have been put in place. These include Mutual Recognition of Ac-

ademic and Professional Qualifications to ease trade in professional services; pro-motion of cross-border education through harmonising curricula, examinations, stan-dards, certification and accreditation of ed-ucational and training institutions; issuance of student pass on gratis; harmonising of university fees to increase access to high-er education; and establishment of centres of excellence to enhance access to quality education and training.

In a rare show of their agility on matters integration, the students participated in an open debate themed ”Benefits of integra-tion outweigh the cost” which provided an impressive confirmation that the message of integration has fast infiltrated not only among institutions of higher learning but also in Secondary Schools. The debaters exhibited clear masterly of the key aspects of integration; from the Common Market to the ultimate Political Federation.Senior Assistant Director, Mr Peter Chege observed that the EAC integration process aimed at engaging the youth on contin-uous basis and take advantage of their multi-talent and potential in fostering cre-ativity, innovation, leadership and sharing of information. He underlined the crucial role of EAC clubs in secondary schools which provided a boulevard for engagements.

Chege challenged the students to spear-head the process, spread the integration gospel to the grassroots and most impor-tantly, critique the policies and the process-es of implementation

Ms. Masinjilla who represented the Principal Secretary challenged the established clubs to ensure their impact trickled to the other schools. She termed them as focal points in their respective schools whose advocacy the Ministry encouraged. ”We urge you to carry out advocacy of the EAC integration agenda through sensitizing, educating and engaging not only your peers but the entire school community at large. This is a noble responsibility that calls for commitment and sacrifice’ Ms. Masinjila.

The Ministry of Education represented by Mr. Mwaniki lauded the participation of the various EAC Secondary School Clubs as a clear indication of the collective commit-ment in sharing of information and develop-ing partnership.

Ms. Lilian Muchoki, the Executive Director, Sauti ya Jamii which organized the event called for more partnerships to ensure the success of the clubs. She appreciated the support accorded to the organization by the State Department of EAC Affairs and the club patrons.

The clubs drawn from Mang’u High School, Precious Blood-Riruta, Mary Leakey Girls, Alliance Girls and Ruthimitu participated in an EAC clubs day match and later tree planting exercise at the hosts designated area to be named ‘The EAC Corner” where peace meetings will be held henceforth.

Students march during a joint secondary school EAC Clubs event at Mangu High School in February, 2016.


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We need an OSBP, Narok residents tell EALA Mps

The need for at least a One Stop Bor-der post connecting Kenya and Tan-zania is evident in Narok County. This

became apparent during a recent tour to the County by the Kenyan Legislators from the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA). The members who engaged in in-tensive three-day consultations across the county got the crucial need for the Border post in the County to facilitate movement of residents and enhance trade across the two Partner States.

Accompanied by the area National As-sembly members, the EALA members held open barazas in Opusmoru and Olmesutie border points where they en-gaged the local business community lo-cal leaders and the general public who passionately expressed the need to have administrative centers in the area. The barazas engaged publics and leaders from Kenya and Tanzania.

Speaking in Opusmoru, Narok west Mem-ber of National Assembly Hon. Patrick Ole Ntutu made clear the need to have the Border post put up as fast as possible as a solution to the major impediments cur-rently experienced by the locals.

He cited the urgency for important facili-ties like the immigration and Kenya Reve-nue Authority offices key for the pastoralist community. The legislator elaborated on the underlying economic potential of the locals which has been curtailed due to the long distances in search of these crucial services.Ntutu further underscored the need for an improved road network to facilitate trans-portation of animal/animal products to external markets. He pointed out that the area which breeds numerous number of livestock also needs a factory to process their products locally.

“There’s need for a meat and milk pro-cessing factory and plant respectively, we cannot be producing here and our cattle are transported all the way to Kenya Meat Commission in Athi River” Ntutu said.

With a local population of 22 Million and 17 Million livestock (Tanzania and Kenya respectively); he said that most of them die on their way to the nearest factory which has become a major holdup to the economic growth of the community and region.In a closed door meeting with the County Governor H.E Samuel Tunai and Com-missioner Magu Mutindika, the legislators were taken through an elaborate geome-try of the county and the potential that lay in its operations.

The county bosses stressed the need to have centralized and coordinated opera-tional framework due to the nature of the economic landscape of the area which entirely depends on livestock farming and tourism. They observed that the entire Narok County has no Border post with the nearest being in Namanga (Kajiado) and Isebania (Migori) which has curtailed Tourism-the main economic activity.

Tunai also stated that although the na-tives co-existed through marriages and otherwise there was an urgent need for a controlled way of engagements across the borders. “A border post will help us control what’s being imported into the country and stop smuggling in addition to enhancing security” Tunai. The EALA Members were challenged by the Narok CEC of trade to champion legislations favorable to the partner states’ citizenly. He observed that the county is endowed with great wealth and with tremendous potential to trade but there were myriad of bottlenecks that ought to be checked including axle loads, Volumes, double taxations, Rules of origin and Non tariff Barriers.

As a demonstration of their resolve to have the One Stop Border Post the Com-munity has put up a committee compris-ing of the County Government and the local Community leaders. The Olmesutie Border Community which borders Lolion-do in Tanzania has voluntarily donated 100 hectares and willing to donate more

if deemed so. The locals led by their area Member of National Assembly Hon Lemei present-ed a Memorandum of Understanding for consideration by the regional Assembly and other concerned institutions. The MOU indicate that the Loliondo (Tanzani-an) side has approved of the site as an OSBP awaiting the Kenyan side to do the same for the works to kick off. The area is designated as a focal point for tourist visiting Maasai Mara and Naimina Enkiyio Forest. If the petition to have the OSBP is approved by the Assembly, Kenya will be linked to its neighbors through;Kenya/Tanzania – Lungalunga/HorohoroKenya/Uganda – Busia/BusiaKenya/Uganda – Malaba/MalabaKenya/Tanzania – Isebania/SirareKenya/Tanzania – Taveta/HoliliKenya/Tanzania – Namanga/NamangaKenya/Tanzania-Proposed Opusmoru, Olmesutie, Sand River (Kenyan side)

In their extended engagements with the public, the EALA members held an open sensitization forum in Narok town, delving on the benefits in an integrated EAC and the opportunities presented by the 160 million population across the six partner states. Maasai Mara University students, who were part of the audience, expressed optimism but with a challenge of the need to practice democracy and rule of law in the respective Partner States if the ulti-mate political federation was to be prac-tical and real.

Hon. Abubakar Zein, an EALA member challenged the participants to embrace each other beyond ethnic groups to make EAC Integration beneficial to all. The members applauded election observer Missions as some of measures taken by the assembly to ensure credible and fair processes. The youth were further chal-lenged to take part in the Assembly Pro-ceedings which are open to the public, in order to learn more on the “People Cen-tered, Market Driven” EAC

A joint press Conference by the Narok County Governor, Samuel Tunai (red tie) and the EALA (K) members outside the Narok County Assembly after holding a consultative meeting on 21st March 2016.

EALA Member, Judith Pareno (Holding a mic) stresses a point during a Kenya/Tanzania Opusmoru Border public Baraza by EALA(K) members on the 20th March 2016


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Ambassador has faith in EAC innovations – calls for local consumer support

Kenyan High Commissioner to the United Republic of Tanzania, Chi-rau Ali Mwakwere, has praised the

quality of products manufactured by East African Jua Kali artisans, and called upon local consumers to drop their unrealistic preference for foreign goods in favour of local products.

Amb. Mwakwere expressed disappoint-ment with the current consumer craze for foreign, imported goods, some of which he said were of extremely low quality, and appealed to East Africans to take pride in their own products for the subsequent development of local industries.

Speaking during the 16th East African Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi exhibition at Mnazi Mmoja Grounds in Dar es Salaam, Tanza-nia, Amb. Mwakwere reserved particular praise for Kenyan artisans whose deter-mination and expertise to make a mark in the informal sector business was already bearing fruit.

He encouraged artisans with unique and popular innovations to always seek visi-bility at similar exhibitions and trade fairs which offer new market frontiers and fa-cilitate interactions necessary for product improvement.

The High Commissioner took note of the large number of Kenyan exhibitors on show, (a total of 141), and said their presence was a step in the direction of market expansion and value addition for their products.

“Expanded market for your goods trans-lates into enhanced profit margins and improved livelihoods for you and your de-pendants,” he told the exhibitors when he toured the various Partner States stands at the exhibition grounds.

Amb. Mwakwere urged the exhibitors to strive to learn new ideas in their specific areas of trade and work to expand their business and market bases across the region, by employing strategic marketing

techniques to attract more clients.

The Confederation of Informal Sector Or-ganizations (CISO) of East Africa Chair-man Josephat Rweyemanu said the idea of an East African exhibition for the infor-mal sector players had given them an op-portunity to exchange ideas for innovation and marketing.He observed that as the leading employer for East Africans, providing about 80 per cent of employment opportunities, the private sector and the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) sector provide the best launching pad for the region’s economic independence.

Rweyemanu was confident that foreign markets were beginning to open up for East African goods due to their high qual-ity and guaranteed originality, and urged artisans to always strive to improve the quality of their goods to ensure a firm grip on the already acquired international cli-ents.

He decried over the lack of capital for most Jua Kali sector players, blaming high interest rates chargeable by commercial banks for the inaccessibility by the players to credit facilities.

The Chairman also lambasted what he termed conservative mindsets of local consumers so obsessed with foreign goods that they always see nothing qual-itative in locally manufactured products.

Lack of designated operational areas for the informal sector players in major mu-nicipal and other local authorities in the region was another stumbling block to the growth and prosperity of these players, with most local authorities viewing them more as a nuisance than serious econom-ic industry players.

Other hindrances to the growth of the informal sector which Mr Rweyemanu blamed for the slow growth of the infor-mal sector included uncertain economic climates that often undermined mass pro-duction of goods, and lack of official rec-ognition of the informal sector by regional governments. He pointed out that it was only Kenya which had put in place clear policy guidelines on the promotion and support for the informal sector as a key catalyst for economic prosperity.

The Chairman further cited unrealistic and exploitative taxation of the informal sector businesses by authorities that were only out to generate revenue, and weak im-port policies that had allowed the influx of cheap, sub-standard and sometimes fake goods to flood the regional market, effec-tively locking out local producers from the domestic market.

In attendance at the exhibitions were Di-rector General of Trade at the EAC Sec-retariat, Peter Kiguta and then Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs in the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Joyce Mapunjo, among other dignitaries.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Said Meck Zadik (right) is received by Kenyan High Commissioner Amb. Chirau Ali Mwakwere, when he toured the Kenyan stand at the EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi exhibition in Dar es Salaam. Mr Zadik represented President John Pombe Magufuli as Chief Guest during the exhibition’s official opening.


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President Magufuli roots for EAC products

The President reiterated the com-mitment of East African Partner States to recognize and support the informal sector as the engine of na-tional development. He challenged key players in the sector to ensure maximization of talents and skills for top quality products.

Tanzanian President John Pombe Ma-gufuli wants East Africans to support local innovations by appreciating and

using locally manufactured items contrary to the current preference for imported goods. President Magufuli similarly wants local man-ufacturers to continuously improve the quali-ty of their products to not only win over local consumers, but to also compete with prod-ucts from other regions at the international markets.He cited the informal sector as the biggest and most consistent producer of high quali-ty local products, noting that its growth over the years had placed the East African Region on the right economic path.

President Magufuli’s sentiments were con-tained in a speech read on his behalf by the Regional Commissioner for Dar es Salaam, Said Meck Sadik who represented him at the opening ceremony of the 16th East Af-rican Jua Kali / Nguvu Kazi exhibition held at the Mnazi Mmoja Grounds in the Tanzanian capital.

The President reiterated the commitment of East African Partner States to recognize and support the informal sector as the engine of national development. He challenged key players in the sector to ensure maximization of talents and skills for top quality products.

Noting that the East African Community inte-gration is meant to strengthen the region as one big economic entity capable of creating opportunities for prosperity of the citizens, the President emphasized that the region must equally provide a ready and reliable market for locally manufactured goods.

Lack of ready and receptive markets, cou-pled with lack of capital due to high interest rates, the President noted, was still hindering the development of the informal sector in the region, and needed urgent solutions.

He insisted that quick and affordable access to credit facilities with less stringent repay-ment measures should be enhanced to help boost the informal sector’s growth and ulti-mately the prosperity of the region’s econ-omy.The President further emphasized the need for municipalities and other urban entities to set aside operational premises for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and specified market places from where they would sell their products uninterrupted.

He said that the EAC Partner States must now move with speed to transform the in-formal sector into formal entities due to the massive supporting role they were playing to promote regional economy.

Such transformation, he observed, would start with enactment of special policies that will lead the SMEs access to affordable credit facilities besides designating special economic zones as their operational bases.

Other high level policy measures aimed at transforming the informal sector into formally recognized institutions, the President noted, would involve in-clusivity of the informal sector players into social welfare funds and savings and credit organizations (SACCOs) and their involvement in regional and inter-national exhibitions.Meanwhile, Kenya’s High Commission-er to Tanzania, Chirau Ali Mwakkwere

has emphasized the need to promote the Jua Kali sector’s growth, it being the single largest provider of employment to thousands of young people.

Mwakwere, who was Chief Guest on the third day of the exhibition, predicted a bright future for the region’s informal sector, advising that gigantic business concerns of today arose from extremely humble beginnings.

“All the wealthy and globally respected businessmen and women started from humble beginnings, but with determi-nation, they have managed to achieve their lives’ dreams,” noted Mr Mwakw-ere.

President Magufuli speaks during the 17th Summit Meeting in Arusha, Tanzania. The Tanzanian head of State wants East Africans to appreciate and promote locally produced goods.


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Exhibitors display their wares at the EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi exhibition at the Mnazi Mmoja Grounds in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Said Meck Zadik (right) is received by Kenyan High Commissioner Amb. Chirau Ali Mwakwere, when he toured the Kenyan stand at the EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi exhibition in Dar es Salaam.

Students follow proceedings during the launch of an EAC Club at Pwani University, Mombasa, recently.

Outgoing EAC Youth Ambassador Mr. Robi Chacha (in black) hands over the official documents to his successor Mr. Fred Kahi Aluda (blue).Looking on are their respective deputies, Rachael Omukhulu (left) and Vivian (in specs) during their handover ceremony in the State Departments Headquarters

Kenya’s High Commissioner to Tanzania Chirau Ali Mwakwere (right), former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of East African Community Affairs in Tanzania, Joyce Mapunjo (center) and Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner Said Meck Zadik, during the official opening of EAC Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi exhibition in Dar es Salaam.

Dare es Salaam Regional Commissioner, Said Meck Zadik signs the visitors book at the EAC Secretariat Stand at the Jua Kali/Nguvu Kazi exhibition in Dar es Salaam. Head of Corporate Communications at the Secretariat, Othieno Owora, is on the right.

Free movement of dignitaries? Labour and East African Affairs Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie (front row, center), her Tanzanian counterpart for Foreign Affairs and east African regional Cooperation Dr Augustine Mahiga (2nd left) and outgoing EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sezibera (Left), symbolically cross border from Taveta (Kenya) to Holili (Tanzania) after during the launch of the Taveta/Holili One Stop Border Post.

EALA Members are led to a tour of the Lunga lunga/Horo Horo One Stop Border Post by the KRA officer (in front) in charge of the station


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EALA Members and Senior Administration staff pose for a photo at the Mount Kenya University Graduation Square during an EALA-Kenya Public Forum in Mount Kenya University on 18th April, 2016

EALA (K) Chapter Chair, Nancy Abisai pins an EAC badge to the Taita Taveta County Governor Eng. John Mruttu when the members called on him in his office in Wundanyi during an EALA county sensitization in April 2016

Students participate in a debate theme “The benefits of EAC Integration outweigh the Cost” during a joint Secondary Schools EAC Clubs event at Mang’u High in February 2016

Kenyatta University School of Law Students keenly read the EAC Publications during a conference on comparative perspectives between the EU and the EAC at Kenyatta University, law School in February 2016

The 2016/2017 EAC Youth Ambassadors-Kenya Chapter, are officially received by the EAC Affairs PS Ms. Betty Maina (3rd right) when they officially assumed office.

EAC Senior Assistant Director, Production and Services Mr. Charles Ngunjiri (right) with officials of the European Union and the Dean, School of law (blue suit) cut a cake during a conference on comparative perspectives between the EU and the EAC at Kenyatta University, law School in February 2016

Labour and East African Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Phyllis Kandie, plants a tree at the Taveta border point to mark the official launch of the Taveta/Holili One Stop Border Post on February 27th, 2016.

EALA Members and Provincial Administrators pose for a photo at the Taveta/Holili One Stop Border Post (OSBP) when they toured the facility recently.


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Labour and East African Affairs Cabinet Secretary Phyllis Kandie (right), her Tanzanian counterpart Dr Augustine Mahiga (center) and outgoing EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sezibera (left) during the launch of the Taveta/Holili OSBP.

In a perfect demonstration of Regional patriotism, Tanzanian student at the Technical University of Mombasa, clad in the Kenyan national colours, poses near the EAC flag with a copy of her favourite regional magazine, Jumuiya News, when officers from the State Department of East African Affairs conducted a sensitization forum at the University in April, 2016.

Members of EALA-K pose for a photo after holding a public baraza at the Olmesutie Border in March 2016.The members were in Narok County for sensitization.

EALA Members Hon Judith Pareno (blue dress) and Yves Nsabimana from Burundi (Right) pose for a photo with Mount Kenya University students during an EALA-Kenya Public Forum in the University on 18th April,2016

The Mount Kenya University Vice Chancellor,Prof Stanley Waundo(Left) receives EAC Publications from EALA Members(R-L) Nancy Abisai,Mumbi Ng’aru and Yves Nsabimana from Burundi during an EALA-Kenya Public Forum in the University on 18th April,2016

EALA member Peter Mathuki greets Narok County Governor, Samuel Tunai (red tie) after handing over an EAC flag outside the Narok County Assembly during a consultative meeting on 21st March 2016.

Taita Taveta County Governor Eng. John Mruttu (Centre) EALA members Judith Pareno(Left)and Nancy Abisai (Right) sing EAC Anthem during the Taita Taveta County sensitization in Voi Wildlife Lodge in April 2016.


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State Department of EAC Affairs Head Legal Affairs Rose Nyakwana (Seated Center),State Counsels; Winnie Cheserem and Lilian Moraa (standing:2nd Left and Right respectively) with other Legal experts in Nakuru during Laws Harmonization Forum.

The Mount Kenya University Vice Chancellor,Prof Stanley Waundo address students during an EALA-Kenya Public Forum in the University on 18th April,2016

Taita Taveta County Governor Eng. John Mruttu(Left) hands over a present to EAC Political Affairs Senior Assistant Director/EALA liaison Officer Mr. George Arogo during an EALA courtesy call to the Governors office in April 2016

East African Affairs Principal Secretary Ms. Betty Maina(front) with Senior officials when EAC Youth Ambassadors 2016/2017 took over from their predecessors at the EAC State Departments Headquarters in February 2016

Ushers during the JAMAFEST celebrations at Kenyatta International Convention Centre in August 2015

Journalists pose for a photo after attending a two day media Workshop in Mombasa Beach Hotel.The workshop was organised by the EAC Affairs Public Communications Unit.

East African Affairs Principal Secretary Ms. Betty Maina(left) welcomes EAC Youth Ambassador, Fred Kahi after he took over from his predecessor at the EAC State Departments Headquarters in February 2016

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Dr. Alice Yalla EAC Affairs Director of Social Affairs (centre) in a group photo after the launch of EAC Youth Clubs in High Schools in Laico Regency. She’s flagged by officials from Ministry of Education, EAC Secretariat and representatives from 7 schools in Nairobi region.


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EALA identifies governors as integration ambassadors

Governors along Kenya/Tanzanian Border counties have committed to ensure EAC integration is achieved

through collaborative approach. Taita Tav-eta and Kwale Counties which host the Holili/Taveta and Lungalunga/Horohoro border posts respectively gave an un-dertaking following consultative meetings during an extensive tour and Forums by the East African Legislative Assembly (K) in early April 2016..

The EALA members, who in their repre-sentation and outreach roles sought to reach different stakeholders held wide consultations in the two border posts and with the two County governments. In a tour to the Lunga Lunga One Stop Border Post, the EALA got an impressive prog-ress of the construction though informed of some bottlenecks which require clear policy and framework to make the oper-ations of the facility smooth, effective and efficient.

It’s during a closed door meeting with the Leaders of different organizations, the Immigration, KRA and National Gov-ernment representatives that members were informed that the OSBP which be-gan operations on the February 2016 had challenges of power outages and water shortage, among other logistical but sur-mountable issues.Addressing the stakeholders, the area

County Commissioner lauded the oper-ations of the OSBP saying it had meant control of security issues and business orderly and manageable. He termed Kwale as one of the “Front offices” for other counties to the other East African partners hence its substance on matters EAC integration. He said that the county stands to enjoy more benefits if at all the locals embraced the opportunities and re-duced on the risks like human trafficking and smuggling of goods.

The Commissioner indicated that there were challenges across the borders on issues of Certificates of origin, Business permits and other policy documents chal-lenging the leaders to sensitize the citi-zens on the same. He however encour-aged the members to push for the full implementation of the Common Market Protocol to ensure that traders were free across the borders.

The County Executive in Charge of Trade and Cooperative department, also a for-mer EALA member Ms. Safina Kwekwe pledged the county’s commitment to work with all agencies to make EAC integration beneficial to all. Ms. Kwekwe said that the county has put up deliberate efforts to connect Small Business Enterprises to common markets in the region giving an example of Nguvu Kazi Jua kali exhibi-tions where local artisans from the county

have participated without fail. On mat-ters tourism, the CEC challenged EALA members to fast track the EAC Tourism Bill which ought to be anchored in a law to iron out the lapses that curtail an East African Tourism common approach as opposed to single partner states.

The Kwale Governor, Salim Mvurya em-braced the County sensitizations terming them key and an eye opener especially for Kenya’s new constitutional dispensation. Mvurya said Counties are best suited to synergize with other relevant institutions in informing people on the opportunities provided by the EAC.

The Governor, who was addressing the members who had called on him in his office challenged EALA to ensure a clear frame work of operations especially for shared resources like river Umba and oth-er ecosystems.

He embraced the flurry of activities across Kenya and Tanzania indicating that every Monday people transit from Tanga and other places to trade on the Kenyan side and encouraged more of these bilateral economic and social engagements. The Governor, who is the Vice chair of the Council of Governors pledged to rally his counterparts in making EAC Integration an agenda for all counties. He assured members that the county had planned

Kwale County Governor Salim Mvurya addresses the media with EALA Members when they called in his office in Kwale town during their sensitization forum across the County in April 2016.


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to establish social amenities in the Lunga Lunga border to encourage more trade ties across the borders. He gave an undertak-ing to engage the National Government and ensure the Bagamoyo-Tanga-Horoho-ro-Malindi-Mombasa road was constructed to enhance transport across the two part-ner states.

These sediments were echoed by his Taita Taveta County Eng. John Mrutu, who called on more cooperation among all stakehold-ers to ensure integration was beneficial for all. Mrutu who addressed Stakeholders in an EALA Public Forum in Voi town affirmed his commitment in ensuring that devolution collaborated with EAC integration to benefit the citizenly.

He cited the recently opened Holili/Taveta Border which he termed as a key develop-ment strategy of the people across the two partner states. Eng.Mrutu said that the con-struction of the Multinational Arusha-Holi-li-Taveta-Mwatate-Voi road is in the East African Community plan of developing missing links along the regional infrastruc-ture corridor.

With statistics indicating that in the past five years, trade between Kenya and Tanzania has grown by over 40%, completion of this road would ensure trade go up by another 10% .It will also ease movement of persons and goods between Kenya and Tanzania, as well to the great lakes region

He emphasized on the crucial role played by the regional assembly in championing regional social and economic prospects. “Today, the Community stands at the door of great promise – of peace and security, economic development and better stan-dards of life for our people.

The East African Community integration process so far has had its impacts felt far and wide by the citizens of the EAC mem-ber states and the future looks bright, The Customs Union which started in 2000 in-volved two things. First the free movement of goods produced by EAC member states and second, a common external tariff. With this free movement of goods, it has provid-ed a market of 176 million people which the people of Taita Taveta County can take ad-vantage of and do business in the region” mrutu said

The chair of EALA-Kenya chapter Nancy Abisai noted that the establishment of 15 one stop border posts, where one is in Tav-eta town, is a key milestone that has been realized by the community. She observed that these posts have greatly eased move-ment of persons and goods across the bor-ders besides enhancing cross border co-hesion and trade, though more efforts need to be put by member states to make the situation even better. The Taveta one stop border post, which Abisai termed as the Kenyan model OSBP has helped reduce

clearance time at the border between 30% and 40%, a clear pointer and a positive trend for ease of doing business since it be-gan its operations on 04/05/205. She gave an assurance that the assembly would do its best to ensure some rigid requirements of business establishment among member states and requirements to obtain work permits or certificates of temporary assign-ments are scrapped.

Hon Judith Pareno, an EALA member ex-plicated that East Africans are interacting at a rising rate, and exchanging information, goods and services in such growing vol-umes that the borders have become mere formalities. She said this popular desire makes integration inevitable in due course.

She however indicated there were still un-resolved challenges like non-tariff barriers which continue to plague competitive-ness of our region by raising the cost of doing business. “Despite the tremendous progress in doing business, this particular barrier has hindered to the exploitation of market opportunities available in East Africa Businesses. Most certainly, non-tariff barri-ers significantly erode the mutual compet-itive advantage expected from integration” Pareno said.Other members of EALA present were Zein Abubakar Zein, Peter Mathuki, Ogle Abu-bakar, Sarah Bonaya,Mumbi Ngaru, Jo-seph Kiangoi And Saole Ole Nakanae.

EALA Members (L-R) Ole Nkanae,Mumbi Ngaru, Abubakar Ogle, Nancy Abisai, Judith Pareno and Sarah Bonaya pose for a photo during a tour of the Lungalunga/Horohoro OSBP


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EAC Quick facts

KEY EAC DATES1967: Former EAC first established1977: EAC dissolved30 November 1993: Signing of Agree-ment for the Establishment of the Perma-nent Tripartite Commission for East Afri-can Co-operation14 March 1996: Secretariat of the Per-manent Tripartite Commission launched, full co-operation operations begin30 November 1999: Treaty for the Estab-lishment of the East African Community signed7 July 2000: Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community enters into force18 June 2007: The Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Burundi accede to EAC Treaty1 July 2007: Rwanda and Burundi be-

come full members of the EAC2 March 2016: Republic of South Sudan is admitted into the EAC

Organs of the Community The Summit comprising of heads of government of partner states gives general direction towards the realisation of the goal and objectives of the Community. The Council of Ministers is the main decision-making institution. It is made up of ministers from the partner states responsible for regional co-operation.The Co-ordinating Committee consists of permanent secretaries and reports to the council. It is responsible for regional co-operation and co-ordinates the activities of the sectoral committees. Sectoral Committees conceptualise programmes and monitor their implementation. Council establishes the

committees on recommendation of the respective co-ordinating committee. The East African Court of Justice ensures that Community law is interpreted and implemented in line with the Treaty. The East African Legislative Assembly provides a democratic forum for debate. It has a watchdog function and also plays a part in the legislative process. The Secretariat is the executive organ of the Community. As the guardian of the Treaty, it ensures that regulations and directives adopted by the Council are properly implemented. Key EAC achievements The main achievement has been the implementation of confidence-building measures that have spurred and energized Partner States’ efforts in regional integration. Partner States have expanded the spirit and enhanced the

EAC Headquarters: Arusha, TanzaniaFirst established: 1967Re-established: 7 July 2000Official language: EnglishSummit Chairperson: H.E. Uhuru KenyattaCouncil Chairperson: Mrs. Phyllis J. Kandie Secretary General: Liberat Mfumukeko

Immediate former EAC Secretary General Amb. Richard Sezibera (left) receives a cheque for USD 10,000 for the EAC Private Sector Fund from a representative of the Manu Chandaria Foundation ahead of the 17th EAC Summit in Arusha on March 2nd, 2016.


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basis of the Community from the initial threshold of mere cooperation to a higher level of integration, with the ultimate objective being political federation.

SUMMARY OF KEY EAC ACHIEVEMENTS AND SUCCESSES:Economic• Establishment of the East African Community Customs Union• Establishment of the East African Community Common Market• Convertibility of the currencies of Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda• Capital markets development and cross-listing of stocks• Joint infrastructure development projects (e.g. Arusha-Namanga-Athi River Road)• Harmonization of the EAC axle load (vehicle weight) limit• Harmonization of standards for goods produced in East Africa• Reduction of national trade barriers• Implementation of preferential tariff discount• Free movement of stocks• Harmonizing operations of Ministries of Finance and Central Banks during national budget preparation and presentation• Mutual recognition of health certificates issued by national bodies for goods traded in East Africa

Social/Cultural• Adoption of the EAC Anthem “Wimbo wa Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki” in 2010• Operationalization of the East African passport, which passport grants a holder a six month multiple-entry visa in the region• Implementation of seven-day grace period for personal motor vehicles crossing national borders if the EAC Partner States• Establishment of special immigration counters for East Africans at ports of entry• Issuance of temporary travel documents to facilitate travel within the region by EAC citizens • Harmonization of immigration forms at ports of entry• Abolition of student visas for East Africans• Standardization of university fees for citizens of East Africans• Implementation of student and lecturer exchange programmes at university level• Implementation of cross-border disease control programmes (EAIDSnet)• Harmonization of procedures for granting work permits• Conducting annual EAC Students Essay Competition• Conduct of the annual EAC Military Sports and Culture Week

Political/Security/Defence• Signing of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community in 1999• Joint military exercises by EAC Partner States Defence Forces• Establishment of fora for chiefs of Police, Directors of CID and Directors of Operations and Intelligence to coordinate peace and security matters• Joint patrols, sharing of criminal intelligence and surveillance to combat cross-border crime

Institutional• Establishment of the East African Court of Justice• Establishment of the East African Legislative Assembly• Establishment of the East African Science and Technology Commission• Establishment of the East African Kiswahili Commission• Establishment of the East African Health Research Commission• Establishment of the EAC Civil Aviation Safety and Security Oversight Agency• Establishment of EAC Chief Justices Forum

Source: EAC Secretariat

The EAC Flag: a symbol of regional unity.


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Intense lobbying preceded South Sudan’s admission into the EAC

The Foreign Minister admitted that his country still faced several challenges common with a young nation, but argued that isolating her due to challenges would not be in the best interest of the people of this region, who are culturally related but only separated by current geographical boundaries.

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As the Heads of State of the East African Community (EAC) prepared to debate the possible admission

of South Sudan into the regional bloc during the March 2nd Summit, the young nation’s Government threw every effort into their campaign machinery, explaining itself as a qualified and credit-worthy po-tential member of the East African Com-munity (EAC).

Sending a powerful delegation of top Gov-ernment Officials and lobbyists to the 17th EAC Heads of State Summit meeting in Arusha, the leadership of Africa’s newest nation knew there was a big chance of entry into the community, following three years of lobbying.

The country’s Foreign Affairs and Interna-tional Cooperation Minister Dr Barnaba Mariel Benjamin, who accompanied Vice President Dr James Wani Igga to the Aru-sha Summit, said his country was bring-ing to the EAC a great business potential in line with the EAC Common Market idea.

Speaking to Jumuiya News on the side-lines of the Summit at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, Dr Benjamin said that already, his country was engaged in big business and infrastructural cooperation

with the East African Partner States, citing the Lamu South Sudan Ethiopia Transport Project (LAPSSET) as a case in point.

“The EAC region stands to gain massive-ly from the entry of South Sudan into this bloc, given the volume of untapped agri-cultural, business and other resources in our country,” Dr Benjamin emphasized, citing the expanded markets and invest-ment opportunities that will be available to other East Africans in his country.

He talked of the strong cultural and ethnic relations connecting South Sudan with the other countries like Kenya and Ugan-da, noting that most Nilotic communities in Kenya and Uganda initially came from South Sudan, moving along the River Nile.

The Foreign Minister admitted that his country still faced several challenges common with a young nation, but argued that isolating her due to challenges would not be in the best interest of the people of this region, who are culturally related but only separated by current geographical boundaries.

“We need our brothers and sisters in the East African region to assist us in solving our problems, and this can effectively be

achieved if we work together as partners in the EAC integration process’, said Dr Benjamin.

He argued that Africans must live togeth-er like brothers, and that countries must embrace the spirit of assisting each other in times of difficulties if the continent has to move forward as one peaceful region.Dr Benjamin gave the assurance that the conflict that recently affected his country was being addressed with speed, noting that already, a power sharing agreement has been reached and former Vice Pres-ident Riek Machar has been included in the Government as part of the sustainable peace building process.

“Riek Machar’s advance team is already in Juba to take up their positions, indicating that the conflict is set to end and perma-nent peace attained,” he told us.

He gave the assurance that the govern-ment of South Sudan would ensure it speedily implements all the policies and programs required of an EAC Partner State, and would put in place the nec-essary infrastructure to ensure a quick catch-up with the other Partner States.

South Sudan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Barnaba Mariel Benjamin speaks to the press on the sidelines of the 17th EAC Heads of Summit at the Ngurudoto Mountain Lodge in Arusha, Tanzania. The Summit, meeting on March 2, 2016, admitted South Sudan into the Community.


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ronmental Impact Assessment results for any development projects within the basin which are likely to have direct or indirect, significant impact on the water resources.EAC Deputy Secretary-General Ms Jesca Eriyo, said the EAC has four of the existing Seven Wonders of the World, which must be protected and sustained at all costs. She added, Mara River Basin ecosystem plays an important role in the survival of the community and must be protected by

all. Executive Secretary of the Lake Victo-ria Basin Commission Dr. Canisius Kanan-gire, said the future of the Mara Ecosys-tem lies with the communities within the Basin whose role cannot be over-stated.

The objectives of the MOU are the setting up of institutional arrangement for the joint management projects, programmes and initiatives related to water resources man-agement and development in the Basin.

Further, the MOU will pave way for the es-tablishment of a joint mechanism/cooper-ative framework for sustainable develop-ment and management of water resourc-es in the Basin.

The ceremony was also attended by Di-rector of Administration, Ministry of Envi-ronment Mr. David Ejakaiti, an Assistant Director within the State Department of East African Affairs, Mr. Joseph Mung’ere, a Legal officer Mrs. Rose Nyakwana, Mara Regional Commissioner Capt.(RTD) Aseri Musangi, District Commissioner Butiama Mrs. Anna-Rose Nyamubi, among others.

Part of the memorandum included; the establishment and strengthening of a Joint Cooperative Frame Work for sustainable water resources Management of the Mara Basin; the parties undertook to cooperate in the area of sustainable development, management and equitable utilization of water resources including water allocation, water supply and sanitation, capacity building, data and information sharing , research and development.

Kenya and United Republic of Tanzania sign MOU on joint water resource management

Kenya and Tanzania recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), over the joint water resourc-

es management of the trans-boundary Mara River basin during a colorful cere-mony held at the Butiama play ground, in Mara Region of the United Republic of Tanzania.

The climax of the ceremony was the signing of the Memorandum, and wit-nessed by then Tanzania Vice President H.E Mohammed Ghatib, who was the chief guest, accompanied by the Water and Irrigation Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Eugene Wamalwa, who toured various stands, and were impressed by the qual-ity of the exhibits, particularly the Kenyan products.

The former vice president said the pres-ence of Kenyan delegation at the sign-ing ceremony was an assurance that the Mara River basin conservation efforts will be enforced at all costs. He called on stakeholders of the two countries to en-sure that the Basin’s resources were also shared equitably.Mr. Wamalwa called on the community living within the basin to embrace the projects and resources instead of a few individuals’ interests. “The EAC has put in place robust programmes protecting the robust biodiversity and livelihood within the East African Communities, and promotion of intra-trade.’’ He stressed.

On August 4th, 2003 EAC entered into a MOU with the World Wide Fund for Nature Eastern African Regional Pro-gramme office (WWF-EAARPO) Nairobi, in which it was agreed WWF-EARPO supports the EAC in programmes con-tributing to the vision of the Lake Victoria Development Programme and Estab-lished Lake Victoria Basin Commission.

It is from this MOU that the WWF-EAR-PO initiated the Mara River Basin Man-agement Initiative in 2003 to support implementation/protocol for sustainable development of the Lake Victoria Basin at its shared vision and strategy planning document. It is intended to deal with the main threats of the basin that included poor water quality, reduction of water levels/flows (quantity) and Biodiversity degradation.

Part of the memorandum included; the establishment and strengthening of a Joint Cooperative Frame Work for sus-tainable water resources Management of the Mara Basin; the parties undertook to cooperate in the area of sustainable development, management and equita-ble utilization of water resources includ-ing water allocation, water supply and sanitation, capacity building, data and information sharing , research and devel-opment.

The MOU further promotes research in the area of integrated and sustainable management and development of water resources in the basin, and share Envi-

H.E Mohamed Khatib Vice President of Tanzania (left)signing an MOU with the management of Mara River Basin Resources as Kenya’s Water and irrigation Cabinet Secretary Hon. Eugene Wamalwa looks on


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East African Community (EAC) Organs and Institutions

The East African Community (EAC) executes its mandate and functions through organs and institutions that

deal with specific lines of activities to move the integration agenda forward.

Organs of the CommunityThe main Organs of the EAC are the Summit, the Council of Ministers, the Co-ordinating Committee, the Sectoral Committees, the East African Court of Justice, the East African Legislative As-sembly and the Secretariat.

The SummitThe Summit comprising of Heads of Gov-ernment of Partner States gives strategic direction towards the realisation of the goal and objectives of the Community. This is the topmost organ of the Com-munity and has the final say over all deci-sions that affect the Community. The chairmanship of the Summit is held rotationally among the Heads of EAC Partner States, each of whom hold the position for one year. The current chair of the Summit whose term runs throughout this year, is Tanzanian President Dr John Pombe Magufuli

The Council of MinistersThe Council of Ministers (or simply, the Council) is the central decision-mak-ing and governing Organ of the EAC. Its membership constitutes Ministers or Cabinet Secretaries from the Partner States whose dockets are responsible for regional co-operation.

Every year, the Council meets twice, one meeting of which is held immediately preceding a meeting of the Summit. The Council meetings assist in maintaining a link between the political decisions taken at the Summits and the day-to-day func-tioning of the Community. Regulations, directives and decisions taken or given by the Council are binding to the Partner States and to all other Organs and Insti-tutions of the Community other than the Summit, the Court and the Assembly.The current Chair of the Council is Tan-zania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation, Dr Augustino Ma-higa.

The Coordinating CommitteeUnder the Council, the Coordinating Committee has the primary responsibil-ity for regional co-operation and co-or-

dinates the activities of the Sectoral Committees. It also recommends to the Council about the establishment, com-position and functions of such Sectoral Committees. It draws its membership from Permanent / Principal Secretaries responsible for regional co-operation from the Partner States.Subject to any directions given by the Council, the Coordinating Committee meets twice a year preceding the meet-ings of the Council. Moreover, it may hold extraordinary meetings at the request of the Chairperson of the Coordinating Committee. Sectoral CommitteesSectoral Committees conceptualise pro-grammes and monitor their implementa-tion. The Council establishes such Sec-toral Committees on recommendation of the Coordinating Committee, based on specific sector needs.The Sectoral Committees meet as often as necessary for the proper discharge of their functions.

The East African Court of JusticeThis is the principal judicial Organ of the Community and ensures adherence to

The EAC Affairs Integration Secretary Mr. Barrack Ndegwa (centre) with East African Court of Justice President Dr. Emmanuel Ugirashebuja(L) and Head of the Raoul Wallenberg Mr. Josh Ounsted(R) during Stakeholders’ Conference on the role of the courts in the EAC Integration process at a Nairobi Hotel.


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the law in the interpretation and application of compliance with the EAC Treaty.

Arusha, Tanzania is the temporary seat of the Court until the Summit determines its permanent seat. The Court established its Sub-registries in the Partner States, which are located in the premises of the National Courts.The Court is currently composed of ten judges, appointed by the Summit from among sitting judges of any Partner State court of judicature or from jurists of rec-ognised competence, and the Registrar who is appointed by the Council of Minis-ters.The Court has two divisions: an Appellate division and a First Instance division.

The East African Legislative Assembly (EALA)This is the Legislative Organ of the Com-munity and has a cardinal function to fur-ther EAC objectives, through its Legislative, Representative and Oversight mandate. It was established under Article 9 of the Trea-ty for the Establishment of the East African Community.

The Assembly has a membership compris-ing of 45 elected Members (nine from each Partner State), and 7 ex-officio Members consisting of the Minister or Cabinet Sec-retary responsible for EAC Affairs from each Partner State, the Secretary-General and the Counsel to the Community, making a total of 52 Members.The Assembly draws the authority to estab-lish its Standing Committees from its Rules of Procedure. It currently has 6 Standing Committees to execute its mandate:• The Accounts Committee;• the Committee on Legal, Rules, and

Privileges;• the Committee on Agriculture, Tourism

and Natural Resources;• the Committee on Regional Affairs and

Conflict Resolution;• the Committee on Communication,

Trade and Investment, and• the Committee on General Purpose.

The SecretariatThe Secretariat is the executive Organ of the Community. As the guardian of the Treaty, it ensures that regulations and direc-tives adopted by the Council are properly implemented.

In service of the Community, the Secre-tariat comprises the Secretary-General, 4 Deputy Secretaries-General, the Counsel to the Community and hundreds of EAC staff members who carry out the day-to-day work of the EAC as mandated by the Council.

The Secretary-General is the principal ex-ecutive and accounting officer of the Com-munity, the head of the Secretariat and the Secretary of the Summit; he/she is ap-pointed by the Summit for a fixed five-year, non-renewable term.

The Deputy Secretaries-General are ap-pointed by the Summit on recommenda-tions of the Council and on a rotational basis. They deputise the Secretary-General and each serves a three-year term, renew-able once.The Counsel to the Community is the prin-cipal legal adviser to the Community.

EAC InstitutionsThe Community has a number of semi-au-tonomous institutions that help it implement its mandate, three of which became oper-ational in July 2015. These EAC institutions include: CASSOAThe Civil Aviation Safety and Security Over-sight Agency works in the civil aviation sector towards air transport services that are safe, efficient and profitable as well as adoption of common policies and harmoni-sation of civil aviation rules and regulations.

EADBThe East African Development Bank offers structured financial products and services to organisations in the health, education, hospitality and tourism, infrastructure de-velopment, energy and utilities, and agricul-ture sectors.

EAHRCThe East African Health Research Commis-sion coordinates and maps out a regional agenda on health research as well as the translation of its results into policy and practice within the Partner States.

EAKCThe East African Kiswahili Commission co-ordinates and provides advice to the Part-ner States on all matters related to Kiswahili research, teaching, learning and develop-ment as the lingua franca of the Partner States. EASTECOThe East African Science and Technology Commission governs the Partner States co-operation in the development and im-plementation of Science and Technology.

IUCEAThe Inter-University Council for East Africa coordinates harmonisation of higher edu-cation and training systems in East Africa, facilitates their strategic development and promotes internationally comparable stan-dards and systems. LVBCThe Lake Victoria Basin Commission fo-cusses on coordinating the various inter-ventions on the Lake and its Basin.

LVFOThe Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization promotes sustainable utilisation of fisheries of the Lake.Courtesy: EAC Secretariat

EALA Members (L-R) Zein Abubakar,Saole ole Nkanae,Peter Mathuki, Sarah Bonaya, Ogle Abubakar, Judith Pareno,Safina Kwekwe (Former),Nancy Abisai,Mumbi Ng’aru and Joseph Kiangoi outside Leisure Lodge,Diani after a sensitization forum for Kwale County in April 2016


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Marvelous Tourist attractions in the North Rift

The road from the North Rift agricul-tural city of Eldoret to the world’s long-distance athletics headquar-

ters of Iten is smooth and wide; and the driver on the wheels of our four-wheel drive Toyota Hilux double cabin pick up is a hasty, excited fellow who can some-times over-speed. However, we decided, that Tuesday morning in March, to be lo-cal tourists, excited and curious, so we never minded about his screaming speed.

From Eldoret through the cold town of Iten twenty kilometers away, the tour provides a rare roadside view of the ever-green farmlands that are part of Kenya’s gra-nary, and these are the introductory sites to wonderful tourism potentials, hidden in the wilds of the North Rift.

Well, for a comprehensive tour of the North Rift, one must start from Eldoret, and the first stop must be Kerio View; a small but striking rural hotel perched on the edge of the Kerio valley escarpment. Here, the environment is calm and allur-ing, and the near-distant placement of Tugen and Tiati Hills in the foreground is a refreshing site. The Tugen Hills run prominently in a parallel line to the Keiyo Escarpment, to the east, while the Tiati, the sacred mountain of the Pokot people, sits like a pyramid to the north. The Kerio View Hotel, which is precar-

iously and excitedly placed on a scenic cliff hanging over the Keiyo Escarpment, has only 22 rooms, and the management say this is deliberate to ensure quality service for international tourists, among them paragliders and athletes mainly from Europe, camping for high altitude training. One may still be marveling at the magnif-icence of the Tugen and Tiati hills, when their wandering sights settle on the for-ested and imposing green slopes of Kap-kut and Kipkanyilat (translatable as the place of lightning). From here, several rivers emanate, giving rise to the Kerio River, a brown thread winding hesitantly through the thorny bushes in the valley, one thousand meters below. We are in the Keiyo countryside, inhab-ited by a nomadic-turned-agricultural community, whose origins can be traced through the Nile Valley hundreds of years ago. They, and their brothers and neigh-bors, the Marakwets, are interesting stick-lers to traditional beliefs, using the patriar-chal clan system to exploit the great di-versity in altitude, climate and vegetation around the great valley and escarpments that characterize their land. Each clan has a proportional portion of land that stretches from the highlands to the lowlands, more than one thousand meters down the valley. So, each clan has a share of the Kerio River (endo), its gently

rising valley floor (soiwo), its foothills (lag-am), its slopes (masop), its escarpment (tumoo) and its plateau (tenn’gunin).

In this arrangement, says 74 year-old Mzee Mutwol arap Kilimo, the clans live in harmony with minimal conflicts, allowing them time to concentrate on their farming and cattle raring occupations. The local people had no scientific knowl-edge about changing weather patterns, but quite accurate in ensuring that, through this arrangement, all families could benefit from all the agro-climatic zones throughout the year. Our mission is to investigate the region’s, and the people’s, possible contribution to the growth of Kenya’s, and, East Af-rica’s, tourist sector, and are amazed at the great, untapped and hidden tourist resources that abound here. Down in the Kerio valley, in a small area only 66 square kilometers, is situated the Rimoi National Reserve. It may not be rich in varieties of wildlife, but the giant of the jungle - the elephant - is available, backed by dik diks, impalas, bush pigs, warthogs, monkeys, and reptiles like Ag-ama and other lizards, snakes and tor-toises. For a view of the otherwise hostile ele-phants (and this must strictly be attempt-

Wildebeest at Masai Mara National Park


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ed only in the company and under the guid-ance of tour guides and game rangers) the nearby Koisabul Hill is a vantage point. An abundance of bird life like weavers, sun birds, pigeons, honey guides, hornbills and many others, chirping in the vicinity as you explore the reserve, is as calming as it is attractive. Around the Kerio Valley and Escarpment, as you drive deeper into the Marakwet coun-tryside, abundant all-year rainfall has given birth to thick forests like Kapchemutwo, Kipkunurr, Embobut and Lelan, which are rich in high value timber like Pencil Ceder, East African Yellow Wood, Rosewood and Australian Blackwood. This environment should be able to freshen up any exhaust-ed tourists. The experience in these forests gives rise to a beautiful green world, eerily quiet until the chattering of monkeys disturb the silence. Various colorful butterflies flit in the golden sunrays that penetrate the thick canopy, and there are (rare) encounters with the rare, silent and shy creatures like the leop-ard patronizing these forests like the ani-mals in the Biblical Garden of Eden. Further forays into the unknown wonders of the Keiyo and Marakwets expose the marvelous ranges of the Cherangany Hills, sometimes rising to heights of 3500 meters,

and so you only tackle them best in durable four-wheel-drive machines that promise not to let you down in the serene jungle. The Kalaleigelat, Chepkotet, and Chebon hills of the Cherangany, that run north-wards, present an entertaining view as they race towards the semi-arid Ortum in the land of the Pokots. But for a more satisfy-ing view, Kwaisagat Viewpoint, paces away from the Kitale-Lodwar junction, may give a perfect scan of the Marich Pass that sepa-rates the Cherangany Hills from the Sekerr range of mountains, and it is this pass that separates the fertile Trans Nzoia from the arid plains of the Lake Turkana Basin. Away from the Cherangany amazement, further north and inside the Pokot coun-tryside, are the equally beautiful Pokot mountains that rise straight from the plains of northern Kerio and South Lake Turkana basin. From here, visits can be made to the impressive Nasalot Game Reserve, locat-ed around the Turkwel Hydroelectric Dam, which is a rare bird watching site. The Pokots are an exciting group of no-madic pastoralists; fiercely cattle-loving but amazingly welcoming. You only need to declare through deed and mannerisms that you are not interested in cattle and you are the community’s welcome guest. Any con-trary behavior may not be taken kindly. For those interested in the irresistible his-tory of Kenya’s political struggles and de-

termination, an onward drive to Kapenguria town presents a chance to visit the Kapen-guria Museum and to tour the famous cell where the founding father of the Kenyan nation, Mzee Jomo Kenyatta, and five fellow freedom fighters; Achieng Oneko, Kungu Karumba, Bildad Kagia, Fred Kubai and Paul Ngei, were detained in the early 1950s, at the height of the clamour for Ken-ya’s independence. You may be worn out by the tour, but the experience promises to remain in life-long memory. Given its cool and friendly weath-er, the Keiyo, Marakwet and Pokot regions of the North Rift present an exciting tourist adventure that has no precedent. With ho-tels and lodges that offer natural experienc-es due to their locations in virgin jungles, the tiring but exciting forays into these hith-erto untapped tourist sites are later cooled down by highly deserved and comfortable rests in one of these joints. With all these and many more tourist site in the North Rift, coupled with the opening up of East Africa through the on-going regional integration, tourism promises to be a lead-ing income earner for this part of Kenya. This, therefore calls for proper marketing to attract domestic, as well as regional and international tourists.

Giraffe crossing Tsavo National Park


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Maintain peace and security to foster regional integration, PS Maina urges students

The Dean School of Arts Prof. Issa Mwamzandi who organized the event lauded the State Department of East African Affairs for choosing the University and rooted for the urgent empowerment of the recently established Kiswahili Commission in pursuit of enhancing the regions Lingua Franca.

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Institutions of higher learning across East Africa have been urged to pursue peace and security vital for fostering regional

progress and prosperity towards integra-tion. These were identified as key pillars for the social, economic and political de-velopment of any people.

Addressing students at the University of Kabianga, Kericho County, the Principal Secretary in charge of East African Affairs, Ms. Betty Maina argued that the inte-gration process pace would be hastened if these two fundamental pillars were ad-hered to. She observed that students form a huge constituency whose contri-bution couldn’t be underrated in the pur-suit of an integrated community.

The PS underscored the opportunities presented by EAC due to expanded mar-kets and economy converting to great opportunities for the young professionals. She however challenged the students to fully equip themselves with relevant skills in readiness for over 160 Million peoples expanded market.

The youths, the PS observed formed the power base of any economy hence in the spirit of fulfilling the “people centered, market driven: “approach of the commu-nity, ought to be incorporated in the in-tegration process. “Peace and Security forms the basis for our operations across the region and across our borders, I there-fore urge each of us to work towards this noble course” Maina said. This was in line with the University’s culture week themed “peace and Security for the growth of our region”

She elaborately took the students through the pillars of integration from Customs Union to the anticipated ultimate Political Federation. Much emphasis were laid on the Customs union in regard to the com-mon external tariff, elimination of internal trade barriers as well as exception of cus-tom duty on goods originating from East African region. Ms. Maina who was ac-companied by

Senior Assistant Director Ms. Tabitha Ma-sinjila further added that the community was keen on fully implementation of the Common Market Protocol which seeks to ensure three freedoms and two rights to ensure the regional body benefited its population. These freedoms, especially movement of workers and persons ought to operate within the premise of the laid down procedures and the law.

The University’s Vice Chancellor Prof. Wil-son Kipng’eno explicated that EAC pro-vided great opportunities for the young people though most of them had not been exposed to the same. He said it was only through such forums that the youths in schools would understand matters EAC Integration and support it. He ap-preciated the interactive session between the University and the State Department charged with regional affairs and declared unwavering support to the inaugurated Kabianga University EAC club.

The Dean School of Arts Prof. Issa Mwamzandi who organized the event lauded the State Department of East Afri-can Affairs for choosing the University and rooted for the urgent empowerment of the

recently established Kiswahili Commis-sion in pursuit of enhancing the regions Lingua Franca. He observed that com-mon language would foster speedy social integration.

The EAC Youth Ambassadors were rep-resented by Victor Ndede who called for social interaction through the EAC Youth platforms attracting great following and challenged the students to participate ac-tively in the established club. Ndede ac-centuated the role of the clubs which he termed as training grounds for skills and leadership development fundamental for the growing East African population.

He informed the students that the pro-cess of identifying Youth ambassadors was rigorous and required deep insights on the EAC integration agenda challeng-ing the university to ensure they partici-pated in the next group of EAC Youth ambassadors’ challenge. “The launch of this club, the first of its kind in this region marks a milestone towards our dream of a fully integrated Community” Ndede said. He thanked the Stae Department of East Africa Affairs (SDEAA) for the unwav-ering support which ensured success of the Youth Ambassadors platform, with a plea of making sure their team would do everything to ensure institutions of higher learning across the country were fully sen-sitized on EAC Integration matters.

The PS officially launched the EAC Club and handed over an EAC flag to the Club officials led by Catherine Katam as a sym-bol of commitment to the club.

East African Affairs Principal Secretary Ms. Betty Maina making a presentation during an EAC Club Launch Day at the University of Kabianga,Kericho County on 8th Feb 2016


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mitted by animals and therefore urged the Partner States to strengthen the imple-mentation of One Health concept.

He further thanked Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Disease of United Nations Food and Agricultural Organi-sation (UNFAO-ECTAD) for supporting simulation exercises and noted that a total of six table top and two field simu-lation exercises had been conducted in the EAC region. Through these simulation exercises the Partner States were able to test their contingency plans and also cre-ate working teams for sharing information and responding to subsequent disease outbreaks.

Participants at the three-day meeting in-cluded representatives of the EAC Partner States (National level and County/Districts of the Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania), National Ministries responsible for human health, animal health, Ministry of EAC Affairs, Immigra-tion, representatives of security agencies, immigration and customs officers.

Mr. Elibariki Mwakapeje an epidemiolo-gist from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and also the chairman of the sim-ulation exercise, noted that the meeting provided an opportunity for the EAC Part-ner states to work together in implement-ing the field simulation exercise based on available contingency plans. He further informed the participants on the need to test the available contingency plans and

urged them to prepare and plan well for the upcoming table top and field simula-tion exercises. He commended EAC Partner States for the strides taken in implementing One Health and further reminded the partici-pants that the heavy rainy season is ex-pected and urged the countries to be alert as there may be outbreaks following the season.

Mwakapeje urged the EAC and ECSA Health Community Secretariats to sup-port the Partner States to test their con-tingency plans before outbreaks occurs. He further urged the partner states to strengthen their IDSR System so that dis-ease outbreaks are detected and timely responded to.

The chairman raised concern over the dif-ferent policies that come with the different ministries and institutions and urged EAC to recommend a policy that will work for the sustainability of the simulation exer-cise.

The field simulation exercise will be con-ducted in June 2016 and will be preceded over by preparatory and resource mobi-lization activities to obtain funds to sup-port the activity. The activity will involve: conducting table top simulation exercis-es, taking stock of available resources at the border points (health facilities, equip-ment, ambulances, human resources, in-frastructure etc), and mobilization of the necessary resources for field simulation.

Participants at the three-day meeting included representatives of the EAC Partner States (National level and County/Districts of the Republic of Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania), National Ministries responsible for human health, animal health, Ministry of EAC Affairs, Immigration, representatives of security agencies, immigration and customs officers.

EAC member states take joint action to promote health security in the region

Stakeholders within the health sec-tor in the East African Community (EAC) Partner States are taking

precautionary measures against the threat of possible emergence and recur-rence of communicable diseases like the dreaded Ebola virus in the region.

Subsequently, regional health experts converged at the Namanga- Kenya bor-der for a three day regional One-Health, Table-top and Field Simulation exercises for emerging and re-emerging epidem-ic and pandemic threats of Ebola Virus Disease and other communicable dis-eases, emergency preparedness and response. In this situation, approach to health issues is adopted jointly for the en-tire region, and tackled on a round-table formula that leaves out no stakeholders.The meeting followed fears of a possible occurrence and re-occurrence in sec-tions of EAC region of Ebola Virus and other communicable diseases.

The participants noted that some of the most common examples of re-emerging infectious diseases, which have struck a few countries of EAC in the last decade include: the Rift Valley fever, yellow fever, anthrax, Ebola and Marburg outbreaks, causing great fear and posing a major threat to the region’s public health and rending a blow to the regional economy.

The simulation exercises are a product of the 9th Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Sec-toral Council of Ministers of Health held in Zanzibar, Tanzania which approved the institutionalization of the One Health approach in the East African community in order to prevent and control zoonotic diseases and other occurrences.

Mr. Timothy Wesonga a senior officer at the EAC Secretariat, referred to article 118 (a) of the EAC Treaty, in which the EAC Partner States agree to take joint action towards the prevention and con-trol of communicable and non-communi-cable diseases and to control pandemics and epidemics of communicable and vector-borne diseases.

He noted that the EAC Secretariat had formed structures such as the East Af-rican Community Trans-boundary Dis-eases and the Regional Rapid Response Team has been actively participating in responding to outbreaks. He also noted that 70% of human diseases are trans-

Health experts from the EAC Partner States pose for a group after a meeting in Namanga, recently.


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Unleashing the economic potential of cultural and creative industries in East AfricaIn a deliberate move aimed at enhancing

cultural interaction and dialogue among the diverse ethnic communities, and

turning the rich cultural diversities into profitable ventures, the East African Com-munity (EAC) Secretariat, in partnership with individual Partner States, organizes a biennial cultural festival that seeks to en-trench the value of cultural diversity into the regional bloc’s integration agenda.

The objective of Jumuiya ya Africa Mashariki Utamaduni Festival (JAMAF-EST) is to strengthen the cultural ties that hold East Africans together, promote prof-itable opportunities in the creative arts sector, exploit available raw talent as a solution to biting youth unemployment and promote regional integration through sustained social interactions.

That was why colourful and rich musical displays, complete with a show of cultural pride, descended on Nairobi for the 2nd edition of the JAMAFEST, turning the city into a mixture of green, blue, yellow and red colours of East African national flags, carried aloft by culturally proud citizens from the five Partner States.

Themed: ‘‘Unleashing the economic po-tential of cultural and creative industries in the EAC’’, the event provided a signif-icant stage for the EAC to showcase art and culture as primary drivers of regional integration and sustainable development.It also sought to harness the abundance of creative talents and rich cultural assets in efforts to promote economic growth, job creation and social inclusion, besides promoting arts and culture as a tool in the celebration and branding of East African identity and image. From the deafening but irresistible, highly agile drummers from Burundi; the colourfully attired slow-mo-tion dancers from Rwanda, the culturally bold and proud Tanzanian song-actors and the ruthless, energy-laden ishikuti dancers from Kenya’s Western counties, there was something for everyone to en-joy in the performances.

If arts and cultural performances were the prescribed cure for conflicts among ancient communities, the same are the perfect glue that can hold current com-munities together, reminding them of a past history that is full of similarities and valuable lessons.

The week-long cultural extravaganza fea-tured dances and concerts, visual arts exhibitions and demonstrations, discus-sions, symposia, traditional games and children’s interactive games.It offered an opportunity for the artists to tap and nurture creative talents; and to network and to initiate contacts for doing business, especially in the cultural indus-try. The event revealed that within the EAC Partner States, there is an abundance of creative assets with a huge economic

potential to promote growth, job creation, and increase our export earnings.Kenya’s Deputy President William Ruto, who officially opened the festivals at the Kenyatta International Conventions Cen-ter (KICC), said the mutual appreciation of the unique cultures was one of the best ways of strengthening the East African bond.

He said the biggest, most powerful way of telling the East African story was the use of arts and cultural performances.“The biggest East African Treaties may be negotiated by Ministers and Presidents but the biggest and perhaps most en-joyable agreements are written in Bongo Flava- through the music of Diamond and Christina Shusho; through the genius of Ann Kansiime and the tones of Sauti Sol”, the Deputy President noted. “The arts are often the best part of any culture because they go straight to the heart. The vision of an artist, the precision of a sculptor and the twist of a dancer does not require a passport. And that’s what we are here to celebrate and affirm”, he stressed.

Ruto said that the festival was not just for cementing social relationship among East Africans but also a strategy to promote mutual trade, cultural and artistic cooper-ation among them.“W are creating a new East African cul-ture given that our region is endowed with a rich and diverse cultural heritage, with a variety of rich artistic expressions which are part of a common identity for the people of East Africa’, Ruto told the participants.. He emphasized that through expressions such as music, dance, drama, art and crafts, people share norms and values and are able to express their unity and to sustain it for generations. The Deputy President reiterated the vital

role played by creative industries in eco-nomic development, and cited a 2013 United Nations Creative Economy Report, co-published by UNESCO, that revealed that the creative economy – which covers audiovisual products, design, new media, performing arts, publishing and visual arts – is one of the most rapidly growing sec-tors of the world economy.

According to UNCTAD, he said, from 2002 to 2011, the global trade of creative goods and services more than doubled, reach-ing a record US$624 billion. On the other hand exports of creative goods increases 12.1% annually in developing-countries where it is becoming more and more crucial as a source of job creation and in-come. Due to the rapid growth of the cre-ative industries, and in line with the East African Common Market Protocol, Ruto said that the Partner States must develop strategies through which the region can benefit from this lucrative trade opportuni-ty to realize development gains.

He said the Creative industries also offer more sustainable development options than traditional exports as the sector draws on the creativity of local artists and entrepreneurs, generating higher levels of local value-addition. Subsequently, he ad-vised talented youths across East Africa to sharpen their skills, strive to get more business knowledge and learn more en-trepreneurial ideas, if they hoped to lucra-tively sell their artistic talents and values.

The Deputy President urged Partner States to nurture arts and culture in the region, and pledged that the Kenyan Gov-ernment would continue prioritizing the development of arts and culture as exem-plified in the establishment of the Ministry responsible for Sports, Culture and the Arts.

An acrobat performs during the closure of the JAMAFEST celebrations at Kenyatta International Convention Centre in August 2015


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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

On the East African Monetary UnionBy Public CommunicationsWhat is a Monetary Union?A Monetary Union refers to a group of two or more States sharing a common cur-rency. It is a complete abandonment of separate national currencies and full cen-tralization of monetary authority in a single institution.

At what stage are we in the EAC inte-gration Journey?The five East African Community Partner States (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwan-da and Burundi) have already signed the Protocols establishing the Customs Union, the East African Common Market and on 30th November, 2013, a Mone-tary Union Protocol was signed during the EAC Heads of State Summit in Kampala, Uganda, and it is expected to be ratified by July 2014.

When will East African region attain a common currency?The region will attain a full Monetary Union in 2024. The Protocol will be ratified by July 2014, however the common curren-cy will be attained by 2024.

How important is a Monetary Union?The Monetary Union is usually a very criti-cal stage of integration within any Region-al Economic Community. In recognition of this, the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community in Article 5(2) states that: “the Partner States under-take to establish among themselves and in accordance with the provisions of this Treaty, a Customs Union, a Common Mar-ket, subsequently a Monetary Union and

ultimately a Political Federation”. Further, Chapter Fourteen (Articles 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87 and 88) of the Treaty provide for Cooperation in Financial Matters.

Which institutions are to be estab-lished as necessary for the imple-mentation of the EAMU?There are five (5) institutions proposed to be established under East African Com-munity monetary Union (EAMU). Four (4) of these institutions will be permanent while one will be a transitional institution. The four permanent institutions to be cre-ated include:• East African Surveillance Compliance

and Enforcement Commission i.e. in-stitution Responsible for Surveillance, Compliance and Enforcement

• East African Statistics Bureau • The East African Central Bank• East African Financial Services Com-

mission • The East African Monetary Institute

(EAMI) which will be the only transi-tional institution that will be created and will be responsible for prepara-tory work for the Monetary Union. The EAMI will be dissolved once it completes the preparatory work on EAMU.

How will a Kenyan benefit from the East African Monetary Union?Consolidation of a single market Price convergence and price stabilityIncreased capital inflowIncreased certainty to businessMore certainty for foreign direct investorsFiscal discipline among Partner StatesCan result in more stable inflation

Increased integration between Partner States resulting in more economic devel-opment

The currency provides identity to the East AfricansWhat are the costs of a Monetary Union?Loss of sovereignity in monetary policy and exchange rate policy Constrained fiscal policy since members set limits on the yearly budget deficits to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as per convergence criteria

The obvious diversity of the economies in-volved i.e. different fundamental econom-ic structures, levels of efficiency, produc-tivity and inflation.

No role for the exchange rate as an auto-matic stabilizerEconomic policy becomes very rigid in a Monitory Union.

Monetary policy is set by a supranation-al institution In the event of a detrimental asymmetric shock that puts the economy in recession, there are very limited policy response options in a MU.

Limited national monetary policy flexibility in a Monetary Union

No consensus on the costs of losing this flexibility. Recent international experience.


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Vital facts about the EAC Education Sub-Sector

The East African Community Partner States have made an explicit deci-sion to cooperate in various spheres

of socio-economic and political develop-ment. Among these areas of cooperation is education. It is envisaged that when this is realized, the Partner States will have comparable frameworks to promote equal access to education opportunities, harmonised competencies, harmonised quality assurance and accreditation sys-tems.

The attendant benefits of this process as well as the credit transfer modalities and frameworks for students and labour mobility within the EAC region will include provision of better educational services and greater articulation within each of the education systems of the Partner States, among other things.

The desire for this harmonization is driven by the shared vision which is articulated in the EAC Treaty, Article 5 and Article 102. In Article 102, the Treaty inter alia states that the Partner States agree to undertake concerted measures to foster cooperation in education and training within the Com-munity. In this respect, the Article requires

Partner States to;• coordinate their human resource de-

velopment policies and programmes;• develop such common programs in

basic, intermediary and tertiary ed-ucation and a general program for adult and continuing education in the Partner States as would promote the emergence of well trained personnel in all sectors relevant to the aims and objectives of the Community;

• harmonize curricula, examination, certification and accreditation of ed-ucation and training institutions in the Partner States through the joint action of the relevant national bodies charged with the preparation of such curricula;

• encourage and support the mobility of students and teachers within the community;

• exchange information and experi-ence on issues common to the ed-ucational systems in Partner States; and

• collaborate in putting in place educa-tion and training programs for people with special needs and other disad-vantaged groups.

The harmonization of the curriculum does not mean the homogenization of previ-ously autonomous, functionally differenti-ated systems in favour of a system having a regional character. Rather, it means an increasingly networked and interrelat-ed group of curriculum and examination systems, linked in such a way that these systems possess overlapping, intercon-nected and comparable logics that are capable of influencing each other across the Partner States.

The number of subjects taught and exam-ined at various levels of education will be harmonized to include core subjects that must be studied in all Partner States as well as electives from which to select to meet the full load of subject content.

Notable Milestones Registered• Harmonization of EAC Education

Systems and Training Curricula• A Technical Committee on the Har-

monization of the East African Edu-cation Systems and Training Curric-ula (TECHOM) has been established with the mandate of facilitating the smooth operationalisation and exe-cution of the process of harmoniza-

EAC Affairs Director of Social Affairs Dr.Alice Yalla(with mic) opens a workshop on the launch of EAC Youth Clubs in High Schools in Laico Regency. She is joined by officials from Ministry of Education and EAC Secretariat and representatives from 7 schools in Nairobi region.


JUMUIYA NEWStion of education systems and training curricula;

The following Strategies to harmonize key components at all levels of education have been developed: • The EAC Pre-primary Education Har-

monization Strategy;• The EAC Primary Education Harmoni-

zation Strategy;• The EAC Secondary Education Har-

monization Strategy;• The EAC Technical and Vocational Ed-

ucation and Training Harmonization Strategy;

• The EAC Special Needs Education Harmonization Strategy;

• The EAC Teacher Education Harmoni-zation Strategy; and

• The EAC Non-formal, Adult and Con-tinuing Education Harmonization Strat-egy.

The process of harmonization is still ongo-ing and the stakeholders will be consulted as and when each milestone is achieved in the exercise.

EAC Secondary Schools Essay Writing CompetitionThis is an annual event that draws partic-ipation from secondary schools within the Partner States and centres on the need to create awareness amongst the school go-ing population about the benefits of region-al integration and to foster an understand-ing of the cultural, historical and political ties of the people of East Africa. Each year a topic related to the challenges and prospects of the region is given to sec-ondary school students. The Five winners in each country attend the annual Heads of State Summit where they are given awards before they commence on a tour of East Africa. The East African Science And Technology Commission (EASTECO) EASTECO is hosted by the Republic of Rwanda;Its objectives as spelt out in the Protocol shall be to promote and coordinate the de-velopment, management and application of Science and Technology in the Partner States.

The EAC Centres of Excellence EAC’s aim of creating Centres of Excellence in the region is to provide new and existing training, research and service provision in order to develop and strengthen innovative approaches aimed at improving and provid-ing top quality training, research or services focused to meet current and future skills needs and technical innovations in the re-gion.The prospective Centres of Excellence were identified on the basis of the following categories:• Tertiary Institutions and Universities;• Research and ICT Institutions;• Curriculum Development and Assess-

ment Institutions;• Languages, Tourism and Cultural Cen-

tres;• TVET Institutions.19 institutions in the above categories have been assessed and designated EAC Cen-tres of Excellence.

The EAC Education Sector HIV and Aids Strategic Plan (2011-2016)The roadmap to operationalize the EAC Ed-ucation Sector HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan has been adopted; The strategic plan focuses on six strategic objectives in order to mitigate the impact of HIV and AIDS in the sector in the region. These include:• Strengthen policies and strategies that

address HIV and AIDS in the education sector in the East African region;

• Strengthen sustainable resource mo-bilization, utilization and accountability within the sector-wide framework;

• Enhance education performance of learners through improved school health and nutrition in primary and secondary schools in the East African region;

• Improve management, coordination and mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS response in the education sector in the East African region;

• Enhance capacity of the education sector in the East African region to re-spond to HIV and AIDS; and

• Strengthen monitoring and evaluation of HIV and AIDS interventions in the education sector in the East African region.

The Inter University Council of East AfricaThe Inter University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) is an of the EAC set to contribute towards strategic development of high-er education and research by facilitating contact amongst universities in East Afri-ca; providing a forum for discussion on a wide range of academic and other matters relating to higher education and research in the region; working closely with nation-al higher education councils/commissions in the Partner States; and facilitating the attainment of high and comparable higher education academic standards in the re-gion. The institution has the following pro-grammes:• tutors and students exchange;• a regional quality assurance system to

promote the quality of education pro-vided in the region;

• inter university networking and collab-oration and experience sharing pro-gramme where member universities exchange lecturers and internal exam-iners;

• harmonization of graduate teacher ed-ucation and fees charged;

• Promotion of ICT application and net-working of IUCEA member universities;

• network of researchers for promotion of science and technology.

Mutual Recognition of Academic and Professional Qualifications These are instruments to alleviate barriers to regional movement of professionals and to trade in services. Labour mobility is con-strained by factors such as different nation-al systems of skills recognition, differences between national systems of taxation, so-cial security, health coverage, wages, so-cio-cultural factors, language, resistance of interest groups and insufficient labour mar-

ket information.Mutual recognition of academic qualifi-cations addresses differences in Partner States‘educational and professional qual-ifications and licenses or certifications. It covers accreditation of learning institutions; accreditation of examiners and examining bodies; length and nature of experience; conduct and ethics standards; disciplinary procedures; professional development and re-certification; scope of practice; and local knowledge;So far Accountants and Architects have signed MRAs. Engineers are at an ad-vanced stage of negotiations.

Cooperation in Culture and SportsIn Article 119 (c) of the Treaty for estab-lishment of the East African Community, the Partner States undertake to promote close co-operation amongst themselves in the fields of culture and sports aimed at enhancing the East African identity to pro-mote a people- centered mutual develop-ment and to strengthen and consolidate the long standing ties and associations among citizens of the region. Towards this end, the region has several initiates in the fields of culture and sports including;In line with this the following projects/pro-grammes have been undertaken; develop-ment of the EAC Anthem, hosting the 1st edition of the EAC Arts and Culture festi-val (Jumuiya ya Afrika Mashariki Utamad-uni Festival’ (JAMAFEST)), establishment of the East African Kiswahili Commission; and commissioning of the Mapping Study of Culture and Creative Industries aimed at establishing the contribution of culture and creative industries to the economy;

Every year EAC secondary school games, EAC local authority games and EAC mili-tary games are held. Arrangements are un-derway to host the 1st Edition of the EAC Sports Tournament.

# Facts and figures generated by the Direc-torate of Social Affairs

The number of subjects taught and examined at var-ious levels of education will be harmonized to include core subjects that must be studied in all Partner States as well as electives from which to select to meet the full load of subject content


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Free movement of persons – What it entails

The EAC Common Market Protocol, which came into effect on 1st July, 2010 guarantees free movement

of goods, persons, services, workers, capital and the rights of residence and establishment for citizens of EAC within territories of each Partner State.

In Article 7 of the Protocol Partner States agree to facilitate free movement of per-sons through non discrimination of the citizens of other Partner States based on their nationality.

This includes non discrimination of vis-itors, persons who seek treatment, persons in transit, persons admitted as students in training establishments, per-sons entering another Partner State for lawful purposes other than work or self employment.

The concept of free movement of per-sons refers to a situation where Partner States in a Regional Economic Commu-nity commit to observe the principle of non-discrimination of nationals of other Partner States on the ground of nation-ality; accord nationals of sister Partner States not less favourable treatment than accorded to third parties; and en-sure transparency in matters concerning other Partner States.

The concept of free movement of per-sons does not translate to unregulated movement of persons in and out of the territories of the Partner States. Rather, it facilitates easier movement of citizens of Member States to enter, reside and exit the territories of Partner States by providing a predictable legal environ-ment.

In this regard, EAC citizens moving from one Partner States to another must un-dergo normal immigration processes at ports of entry and be in possession of valid travel documents.

Free movement of persons is based on the principles of; easing cross border movement of persons, progressively adopting an integrated border man-agement system, removing immigration restrictions to the right of establishment and residence, establishing and main-taining common standard system for identification of nationals (IDs, Pass-ports, other Travel documents), facili-tating the free movement of labour, and ensuring non discrimination of citizens of other Partner States when facilitating entry, stay, movement, and exit in sister Partner States territory. A citizen wishing to enter or exit the territory of another Partner State as a worker, shall do so at entry or exit points designated in accordance with the na-tional laws of the Partner State and shall comply with the established immigration procedures.

This means that such a person shall present to the immigration officer a valid common standard travel document or a national identity card where a Partner State has agreed to use machine read-able and electronic national identity card as a travel document; and also declare all information required for entry or exit.

Upon fulfillment of these requirements the citizen shall be issued with a pass which shall entitle the citizen to enter into the territory of the host Partner State and stay for a period of up to six months for the purpose of completing the formalities for obtaining a work/ res-ident permit.

In case such a person is accompanied by a spouse or child, they shall be issued with a pass of a period not exceeding six months upon fulfillment of the stat-ed requirements pending completion of formalities to obtain a dependent pass. A pass issued under this regulation shall be issued without a fee.

A citizen whose pass is due to expire and who wishes to stay in a Partner State for a longer period shall, before the expiry of the pass, apply to the immigration office of the Partner State for an extension of the pass.

A citizen transiting through the territory of another Partner State, shall be issued with a transit pass which shall entitle the citizen to transit within the period stated in the pass.Citizens admitted as students in an ap-proved training establishment of another Partner State shall, within thirty days of en-try, apply for a student’s pass.

This will be granted if the student possesss a valid common standard travel document or national identity card where a Partner State has agreed to use machine readable and electronic national identity card as a travel document.

The student must also present confirma-tion of admission in an approved training establishment in the host Partner State, confirm sponsorship for the training to be pursued and, if a child, submit the identifi-cation of the guardian to be responsible for his/her stay while in the host Partner State.

Student pass shall be issued for a peri-od not exceeding one year and shall be renewed annually, for the duration of the study. A citizen entering another Partner State for the purpose of training for a pe-riod not exceeding two months shall be exempt from applying for a student’s pass. Student pass is issued free of charge.

However, a student’s pass may be can-celled if the citizen to whom the pass was issued fails to enter and undergo training in the establishment for which the student’s pass was issued, or having entered the training establishment, ceases to be a stu-dent in that establishment.

Such cancellation may also occur if the student undertakes any employment in the territory of the host Partner State except where the citizen is a student on internship or industrial training; orWhen the holder of the pass engages in an activity other than the activity specified in the pass.Limitations to the rights to free movement may be imposed on grounds of Public Policy, Public Health and Public Security as determined by the existing laws of the individual Pertner States.To facilitate free movement of persons EAC Partner States have alreadyoperationalized the East African e-pass-port, launched by the 17th Summit in Aru-sha on March 2, 2016, established special immigration counters for East Africans at ports of entry, adopted issuance of tem-porary travel documents to facilitate travel within the region by EAC citizens, harmo-nized immigration forms at ports of entry, abolished student visas for East Africans and adopted the policy of opening and manning Border Posts twenty four hours a day.# Facts and information generated by the EAC Secretariat.

Namanga Border Point: The EAC Common Market provides for free movement of persons, labour, capital and the rights of establishment and residence


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African Development Bank Invests Big In the EAC

The African Development Bank (AfDB) Group has committed a whooping USD 5.65 billion on a total of 116

on-going projects in the East African re-gion, underlying the bank’s commitment to supporting the region’s socio-econom-ic growth and stability.According to the Group’s Director for Nai-robi Regional Resource Center, Gabriel Negatu, USD 4.72 billion, or 80 per cent of the total commitment is pegged on in-frastructural development, which is the single most important launching pad for economic growth.

He was speaking during the commission-ing ceremony of the Arusha-Holili-Taveta road construction at Tengeru in the out-skirts of Arusha town, by Presidents John Pombe magufuli (Tanzania), Uhuru Ken-yatta (Kenya) and Yoweri Museveni (Ugan-da). Zanzibari President Dr. Ali Moham-med Shein, Burundian Vice President Dr.Joseph Butore and South Sudanese 2nd Vice President James Wani Igga were in attendance.

Mr Negatu reiterated the Bank’s determi-nation to develop infrastructure in the EAC region as a sure way of harnessing the re-gion’s huge potential for the attainment of sustainable development and noted that the road project, when completed, would transform the lives of the communities liv-ing along the corridor besides promoting tourism and fostering regional integration.He said that the Bank shares the vision of East Africa for an integrated open region that is competitive with the outside world, and recognizes that efficient and func-tional infrastructure would help the region realize and exploit its full development po-tential for the prosperity of its citizens.Mr Negatu said that the Bank’s Ten Year Strategy (TYS) 2013-2022 as well as its new Regional Integration Policy and Strat-egy, all recognize shared cross border in-

frastructure projects as the best means of accelerating connectivity and promoting deeper integration.

These strategies, he explained, are geared towards supporting infrastructural and other regional development projects within East Africa.

He cited the Bank’s recent support to the EAC in preparation of the Ten Year Infrastructure and Resource Mobilization Strategy (2015-2024), which was ap-proved by the 3rd EAC Summit Retreat on Infrastructure Developing and Financ-ing, held in Nairobi in 2014.To realize and ensure sustainable growth of infrastructure in the region, Mr Negatu suggested the elevation of the role of the private sector through promotion of Public Private Partnerships (PPP) and strength-ening of the private sector capacity to fully get involved in infrastructural devel-opment.

He further called for greater emphasis on adequate policy and regulatory frame-works and the strengthening of the ca-pacity of the executing agencies in formu-lation, implementation and monitoring of infrastructural projects to ensure efficiency and value for money.Out-going EAC Secretary General, Dr Richard Sezibera, who spoke during the function, thanked the Bank Group for consistently providing financial and other logistical support for the development of EAC regional infrastructure and other proj-ects.He cited the 24o km, USD 266 million Aru-sha-Namanga-Athi River Road, launched in November 2012 and funded by AfDB and the Japanese Government through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as one such project that had result-ed in tremendous increase in cross border traffic for both economic and cultural in-

teractions.

The road, he noted, had spurred growth along the corridor, as exemplified by the large number of factories, farms, commer-cial buildings and residential areas that have sprung up over the last five years as investors rush to make use of the incom-ing market opportunities.

Similarly, the AfDB has also financed the construction of the USD 100 Voi-Tave-ta-Holili road, whose works were commis-sioned last year, and whose linkage with the 56.5 km, USD 65 Tengeru-Moshi-Ho-lili road is expected to boost the growth of the Ambosel, Manyara, Mount Meru, Mount Kilimanjaro and Tsavo West tourist circuit.

At the same time, Dr Sezibera announced that the EAC Secretariat had finalized de-sign works for the 400 km Malindi-Lunga Lunga-Tanga-Pangani-Bagamoyo road which is expected to not only shorten the distance between Mombasa and Dar es Salaam, but to also catalyze the growth of the tremendous tourist and horticultural potential of the Coastal Region.

The Secretary General further announced that the Secretariat had signed a grant agreement of USD 2.7 million with NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility for studies on two roads linking Rwanda and Burundi to the Central Corridor.These are the 330 km long Nyakanazi-Ka-sulu-Munyovu & Rumonge-Bujumbura road, and the 160 km Lusahunga-Rusu-mo & Kayonza-Kigali road.These are key roads that are expected to enhance intra-regional trade and open up agricultural, mining and industrial potential areas where they traverse.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is received by his Tanzanian counterpart John Pombe Magufuli when he arrived at the Ngurdoto Mountain Lodge, Arusha, for the for the 17th heads of State Summit on March 2nd, 2016.


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National Assembly Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso(Yellow top) with Outgoing EAC Secretary General And. Dr. Sezibera(L), Assistant Director Ronald Inyangala (back) tour stands during the women in Business conference at Kenyatta International Convention Centre in August 2015

Underdevelopment is almost de-fined by the deficiency of institu-tions. Deficiency of institutions is

a characteristic of emerging markets or developing countries. Hence “institutional void” can be a major roadblock to fast-er development. Why see the emerging markets through the lens of ‘institutional voids’?Most of the historicals from management are from the developed markets. And in developed markets, academics and the executives take certain things as given. For example, you have a marketing agen-cy to help you build a brand, you have well functioning warehouses across the country to help you manage inventory, and it’s possible to raise money in the corporate bond market. In most of the developed markets the structures that you need for all these things to be true are present.

It’s when these things are absent that you look out from the window and think: what is it that doesn’t work very well?

There are different kinds of missing ele-ments in each kind of market whether it is on the input side or the output side and you can run through the taxonomy and say that these few elements are missing.

So while the technology for a cement plant does not change from place to place, what changes is the ability to raise capital, legal requirements, safety regula-tions etc. In a well functioning developed market you know what to do. I am draw-ing attention to the absence of these things in emerging markets. And that largely explains the structural difference between emerging markets and devel-oped markets.

The basic premise is that emerging mar-kets are places where buyers and sellers are not easily or efficiently able to come together. The emerging markets are not able to provide that ecosystem of institu-tions of a developed world. These ‘insti-tutional voids’ make a market ‘emerging’ and are a prime source of higher trans-action costs and operating challenges in the market.

What influences competitive advantage of nations/regions

Capabilities refer to the firm’s ability to utilize its resources effec-tively. An example of a capability is the ability to bring a product to market faster than competitors. Such capabilities are embedded in the routines of the organization and are not easily documented as procedures and thus are difficult for competitors to replicate.


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We are basically talking about developing countries including the EAC Region.

What are the main characteristics of firms in the developed markets? Firms in de-veloped markets possess a competitive advantage over its rivals as they sustain profits that exceed the average for its industry. A competitive advantage exists when the firm is able to deliver the same benefits as competitors but at a lower cost (cost advantage), or deliver benefits that exceed those of competing products (differentiation advantage).

Thus, a competitive advantage enables the firm to create superior value for its customers and superior profits for itself. Firms utilize its resources and capabilities to create a competitive advantage.

Capabilities refer to the firm’s ability to utilize its resources effectively. An exam-ple of a capability is the ability to bring a product to market faster than compet-itors. Such capabilities are embedded

in the routines of the organization and are not easily documented as procedures and thus are difficult for competitors to repli-cate. Firms become competitive through innovation. Innovation can include technical improvements to the product or to the pro-duction process.Innovation and new product development are crucial sources of competitive advan-tage, for example, Nokia, Intel, Sony, Sam-sung, and Motorola have all generated sustained competitive advantage through continuous streams of incremental architec-tural. Management research suggests that innovative firms – those who are able to use innovation to differentiate their products and services from their competitors – are an av-erage twice as profitable as other firms.

The firm’s resources and capabilities togeth-er form its distinctive competencies. These competencies enable innovation, efficiency, quality, and customer responsiveness, all of which can be leveraged to create a cost ad-vantage or a differentiation advantage. Some scholars see “competence” as a combina-tion of knowledge, skills and behavior used to improve performance; or as the state or quality of being adequately or well qualified, having the ability to perform a specific role.

For instance, management competency might include systems thinking and emo-tional intelligence, and skills in influence and negotiation. Competency is also used as a more general description of the require-ments of human beings in organizations and communities.

However, firms’ competitive advantage is a consequence of nation’s competitive advan-tage, which in the long-tem arises from the inter-play of national incentives and capabili-ties. The capabilities define the best that can be achieved; while the incentives guide the use of the capabilities and indeed stimulate their expansion, renewal or disappearance. Both incentives and capabilities operate within an institutional framework to create national wealth. This explains the long-term differences in the performance of industrial economies and the developing economies.

The Diamond model of Michael Porter for the Competitive Advantage of Nations offers a model that can help understand the com-petitive position of a nation in global com-petition.

This model can also be used for other major geographic regions such as EAC. Tradition-ally, economic theory mentions the following factors for comparative advantage for re-gions or countries: Land; Location; Natural resources (minerals, energy); Labor, and Local population size. Because these factor endowments can hardly be influenced, this fits in a rather passive (inherited) view to-wards national economic opportunity.

According to Porter, sustained industrial growth has hardly ever been built on above mentioned basic inherited factors. Abun-dance of such factors may actually under-mine competitive advantage! He introduces

a concept of “clusters,” or groups of inter-connected firms, suppliers, related indus-tries, and institutions that arise in particular locations.

As a rule Competitive Advantage of nations has been the outcome of 4 interlinked ad-vanced factors and activities in and between companies in these clusters. These can be influenced in a pro-active way by govern-ment. These interlinked advanced factors for Competitive Advantage for countries or regions in Porters Diamond framework are:1. Firm Strategy, Structure and Rivalry (The world is dominated by dynamic conditions, and it is direct competition that impels firms to work for increases in productivity and in-novation)2. Demand Conditions (The more demand-ing the customers in an economy, the great-er the pressure facing firms to constantly improve their competitiveness via innovative products, through high quality, etc)3. Related Supporting Industries (Spatial proximity of upstream or downstream indus-tries facilitates the exchange of information and promotes a continuous exchange of ideas and innovations)4. Factor Conditions (Contrary to conven-tional wisdom, Porter argues that the “key” factors of production (or specialized factors) are created, not inherited. Specialized fac-tors of production are skilled labor, capital and infrastructure. “Non-key” factors or general use factors, such as unskilled la-bor and raw materials, can be obtained by any company and, hence, do not generate sustained competitive advantage. However, specialized factors involve heavy, sustained investment. They are more difficult to dupli-cate. This leads to a competitive advantage, because if other firms cannot easily dupli-cate these factors, they are valuable).

In conclusion, the role of government in Por-ter’s Diamond Model is “acting as a catalyst and challenger; it is to encourage - or even push - companies to raise their aspirations and move to higher levels of competitive performance”. They must encourage companies to raise their performance, stimulate early demand for advanced products, and focus on spe-cialized factor creation and to stimulate lo-cal rivalry by limiting direct cooperation and enforcing anti-trust regulations. And above all, governments should create efficient insti-tutions and recognize human capital as key to development.

According to Porter, sustained industrial growth has hardly ever been built on above mentioned basic inherited factors. Abundance of such factors may actually undermine com-petitive advantage! He introduces a concept of “clusters,” or groups of in-terconnected firms, suppliers, related industries, and institutions that arise in particular locations.


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Justification for an East African Competitions Authority

As the East African Community (EAC) moves towards full implementation of the Common Market, giving way

to free movement of goods, labour and right of establishment and residence to citizens across the region, the expected establishment and operationalization of an EAC Competitions Authority signifies a major step towards regional economic fair play.Free flow of goods and services across the region will lead to more intra-regional economic activities and profits and even-tual regional prosperity. To ensure this is attained, there must be safeguards avail-able for fair play and competition among players themselves and to ensure due re-gard to interests of consumers.

We are all aware that competition policy is about applying rules in order to make sure that there is fair competition amongst businesses and companies. This encour-ages enterprise and efficiency, creating a wider choice for consumers, while at the same time helping to regulate prices and improve quality of goods and services.

Unfair trade practices include production and sale of goods that do not meet safety standards and unfair treatment of rivals.Therefore, a regional competitions au-thority, with an expanded mandate to oversee regulation of economic activities, to ensure a level playing ground and to minimize irregular business practices, is a must for the management and sustain-ability of the regional common market.

The 30th Meeting of the EAC Council of

Ministers held in November, 2014 ap-proved the proposed structure of the EAC Competitions Authority, and further direct-ed Partner States to nominate and submit names of proposed commissioners for envisaged authority.

In fulfillment of the requirements of the EAC Competitions Act, 2016, and in preparation for the anticipated operation-alization of the authority by July, 2016, the Council directed the Secretariat to com-mence recruitment of staff for key offices within the authority.

To ensure uniformity and enhance co-operation between the individual Partner States and the regional authority, the Council further directed Partner States to hasten formation of national competition authorities. This is geared towards ensur-ing that enforcement of the mandate of the regional authority goes in tandem with the rules and regulations guarding com-petition in the individual Partner States.Already, Kenya and the United Republic of Tanzania have established fully operation-al competitions authorities, with the other Partner States also working on the estab-lishment of the authority in their respective countries in line with the Council directive.Competition also encourages business to improve the quality of goods and services they sell. This will enable them to attract more customers and expand their market share.

Furthermore, competition engenders in-novation within firms as they must inno-vate in order to deliver better/choice prod-

ucts to the market in terms of product concepts, design, production techniques, services etc.

Last but not least, competition makes firms/businesses better competitors in global markets. In the context of the East African Community, competition within the region will help make EAC companies stronger outside the region and able to hold their own against global competitors.

These benefits are achievable through the execution of the competition authorities’ mandate of promoting and safeguarding competition in the regional economy, and protecting consumers from unfair market conduct.

So, obviously, with a regional competi-tions body, ably supported by individual national competitions bodies, in place to regulate business practices, the EAC stands a chance of competing globally in terms of quality products and market best practices.

However, to enhance competitiveness and ensure production of high quality goods, consumer organizations will be expected to play a leading role in cata-lyzing a desire and effort by firms to churn out the best for the market.

Consumer preference for high quality goods and services provides an auto-matic impetus for firms to strive for excel-lence, each trying to outdo the others in satisfying the demands of their clients for control of the market.

Industrialization Cabinet Secretary Dr. Aden Mohamed (Centre) with EAC Affairs Principal Secretary Ms. Betty Maina and International Trade PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo during an International Trade event at Safari Club.PS Maina was a guest speaker.


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Labour and EAC CS, Mrs Phyllis Kandie (front in pink top), Tanzanian Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Augustine Mahiga (on Mrs Kandie’s right) and EAC outgoing SG Amb. Dr. Richard Sezibera (left) cross the border from Taveta on the Kenyan side to Holili on the Tanzanian side, during the official launch of the Taveta/Holili One Stop Border Posts on March 2, 2016.


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