East African Community citizens yet to benefit from regional integration

By JACKSON OKOTH

It will take a while before citizens of the five East African Community (EAC) member states can experience the benefits of free movement of labour, capital, and goods and services within the region.

Although the EAC common market protocol was signed in 2010, the region is far from implementing it on the ground.

Data provided by Kenya’s Ministry of East African Community indicates that of all the member states, only Rwanda is moving with speed to implement the requirements of the common market protocol. The other four members have been lagging behind, with Tanzania and Uganda’s performance below par. On the other hand, Kenya, considered  the big brother of the community, is yet to show leadership.

“The integration process has been hit my numerous challenges including poor information flow, language barriers, immigration problems and cross-border crime,” said Dr Patrick Mwesigwa, Secretary General, East African Local Governments Association, based in Arusha, Tanzania.

He made these remarks at the EAC Secretary General’s forum with private sector, civil society and other interest groups, which ended in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Work permits

Although the need for visas and work permits has been removed within the EAC, these documents are still required for anyone moving within the East African region. It remains to be seen whether the January 2014 deadline for elimination of barriers to free movement of people within the EAC will be met.

According to the integration secretary at the EAC ministry in Kenya, Barrack Ndegwa, the main problem affecting integration lies with failure to amend national laws to conform to those of the EAC treaty.

To enable participation of the civil society and private sector, the EAC has formed a consultative framework to speed up integration.

“This forum allows us to discuss issues affecting the private sector from where they can be channelled to policy makers at the regional level,” said Andrew Luzze, Chief Executive, East Africa Business Council.