Moi asks EAC members to exploit common market

By Maseme Machuka, in Mbale, Uganda

Former President Moi has advised East Africans living along their common borders to take advantage of the free market for economic gains.

Moi said he was optimistic the East African Community integration would succeed.

"We are now moving towards full integration where all the five countries will benefit from each other. We need to take advantage of that opportunity and tap the gains. Let us not be taken back by minor differences," he said.

Moi spoke as he stopped to appreciate chants from hundreds of people, who had lined the streets in Malaba border town.

The former Head of State was on his way to Uganda, where he will today be the chief guest during celebrations to commemorate the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Liberation Day in Mbale.

Moi chose to drive by road from his Maji Mazuri home in Eldoret to Mbale.

In Malaba, chants of ‘Jogoo! Jogoo! Nyayo, wewe ni wetu (Nyayo, you belong to us)! rent the air as wananchi who lined the streets welcomed him.

Moi then alighted from his car and addressed the excited crowd.

"Mko Wazima (How are you)?" posed Moi as the crowd responded positively in unison.

Moi decried infighting by Africans yet the West was moving towards full integration.

"The problem with Africans is that we prefer infighting more than what can unite and make us bolster our economies and improve our welfare. Why do we keep on participating in rhetoric and small wars when we should embrace integration?" asked Moi.

Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister Eriya Kategaya and Kenya’s High Commissioner to Uganda Major General (rtd) Geoffrey Okanga received him at the border town.

At the Ugandan side of the border people gathered along the main road to Mbale waving at the former president.

This year’s celebrations to mark 24 years of the NRM rule will be held in Mbale District today(Tuesday).

Moi received a personal invitation from President Yoweri Museveni to be the chief guest at the celebrations.