Browsing by Author "Kirimi, Kelvin Joseph"

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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.
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    Kenya’s Commitment in Implementation of East Africa Community Common Market Protocol (2010-2022)
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-01) Kirimi, Kelvin Joseph
    Prospect for common market in East Africa has been slow despite push by individual member states. This study examined Kenya's efforts to promote the Common Market Protocol among East African Community (EAC) member states, with a specific focus on infrastructure, free trade agreements, and open border policies. The scope of the study included Kenya's role in fostering regional integration through investments in transport and communication infrastructure, support for free trade agreements, and the implementation of open border policies. Grounded in the Theory of Hegemonic Stability, the study posited that Kenya's regional dominance plays a pivotal role in advancing economic integration in the EAC. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was employed, targeting officials from Kenya's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the State Department of EAC Integration, and embassies from Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, Sudan, and Uganda. A census sampling technique yielded 101 respondents, with data collected through semi-structured questionnaires and interview guides. The instruments' reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s Alpha, while validity was confirmed through content and face validity tests. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential methods, with findings presented in tables and graphs, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings highlighted Kenya's critical role in enhancing regional trade and integration by investing in infrastructure, promoting free trade agreements, and adopting open border policies. These efforts were found to positively influence the realization of the Common Market Protocol. The study’s significance lies in its contribution to understanding Kenya's role in regional integration, providing valuable insights for policymakers, scholars, and stakeholders involved in EAC integration efforts. Limitations included potential respondent bias and the challenges of generalizing findings beyond the study's targeted population. The study recommended continued infrastructural investment, bridging development gaps through collaborative efforts, and aligning infrastructure planning with the broader Common Market objectives. Policymakers were encouraged to emphasize policy coherence, transportation and communication improvements, and political stability to enhance the successful implementation of free trade agreements and economic integration in East Africa. These findings underscore Kenya's pivotal role in driving the EAC integration agenda and offer a reference point for future research and policy formulation.