Kenya to conform with East African Community protocols

Cabinet Secretary Ministry of EAC Phyllis Kandie (right) chats with EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sezibera during the EAC Annual Secretary General’s Forum in Nairobi Monday.  [PHOTO: MOSES OMUSULA/STANDARD]

By LUKE ANAMI

NAIROBI; KENYA: Kenya is in the process of aligning its laws to conform with East African Community Common Market protocol requirements on free movement of people and goods.

The legislation expected to be changed include immigration laws to allow use of an ID as a travelling document across the five states, custom requirements and removal of work permits among others.

Speaking yesterday during the second EAC Secretary Generals forum, Cabinet Secretary Ministry of East African Community Affairs, Commerce and Tourism Ms Phyllis Kandie said the 27 pieces of legislation that need to be aligned with the EAC Treaty are with the Attorney General.

“On the ID issue, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have used the principal of vertical integration to move forward and fast track the use of national IDs for our people to use in crossing the borders. The intention is to have it ready by January 2014,” Ms Kandie said.

“The 27 pieces of legislation are actually with the AG’s chambers. We are waiting for them so that we can fast track the process,” she said.

Earlier on Friday, Ms Kandie said Kenya will issue its citizens with electronic reader IDs for purposes of facilitating free movement of people within the EAC region.

She identified lack of support and information gaps between policy makers, executing agencies, the general public and the media as a setback to the integration process.

“Let me re-emphasise that a comprehensive sensitisation programme that aims to supply credible and continuous information about the integration agenda will broaden and deepen citizens’ understanding of EAC affairs,” she explained.

EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sezibera called on the public, civil society and private sector to hold their respective EAC countries accountable on the progress each has made to implement EAC protocols.

While singling out the EAC Common Market protocol, Dr Sezibera said although some progress had been made to facilitate the free movement of goods and people, there were still many challenges holding back the integration process.

Both Ms Kandie and Dr Sezibera made their remarks while addressing the private sector, civil society and other interest groups that have come together in Nairobi to interact with the EAC Secretary General.