Browsing by Author "Ichani, F. X"

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    Kenya's Role in the East African Community Common Market: Infrastructure, Trade, and Open Borders
    (Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 2024) Kirimi, Kelvin Joseph; Ichani, F. X
    The purpose of this study was to investigate Kenya's contribution to the East African Community (EAC) Common Market by examining its role in infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and open borders policy. Kenya, a founding member, spearheads infrastructure projects like the Northern Corridor Integration Projects, enhancing regional connectivity and trade. The country facilitates trade by advocating for harmonized customs procedures and implements initiatives like the East African e-passport to ease movement of skilled workers. While Kenya has made significant strides, challenges remain, including infrastructure gaps, non-tariff barriers, and disparities in policy implementation. Despite these challenges, Kenya acts as a regional hub, positioning itself to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by addressing internal bottlenecks. This study employed a cross-sectional descriptive design and qualitative methodology to investigate Kenya's role in the EAC Common Market regarding infrastructure development, trade facilitation, and open borders. Interviews and document analysis were conducted with key stakeholders (n=140) from relevant Kenyan government departments and EAC embassies. A pilot study ensured the effectiveness of semi-structured questionnaires and structured interviews used in data collection. Quantitative data was analyzed with descriptive statistics, while qualitative data underwent thematic analysis. The findings revealed Kenya's significant contributions through infrastructure projects like the Northern Corridor Integration Projects, leading to reduced travel times. Similarly, advocacy for harmonized customs procedures yielded positive results in faster trade documentation processing. Progress towards open borders was evident with increased business permits issued to EAC citizens. However, challenges remain such as infrastructure disparities, non-tariff trade barriers, and inconsistencies in border management. The conclusion of the study was that continued investment in infrastructure, policy harmonization, and regional collaboration are crucial for a robust EAC Common Market.