Dynamics of economic diplomacy in east Africa: a case of relations between Kenya and Tanzania: 1963-2015

Abstract

Kenya and Tanzania have had both mutual and frosty relations since independence. Both countries on many occasion have had hostile economic relations toward each other, but they have never been to war. However, however, lacking is the study of relations between these two east African countries, is a detailed examination of the dynamics in economic diplomacy between them and how it has shaped the bilateral relations between them. To fill this gap, the study attempted to understand how the economic pillar of Kenyan foreign policy influences bilateral relations between Kenya and Tanzania. The main objectives of this study included; tracing the emergence of Kenya- and Tanzania's foreign policy agenda; 1963-1975, examining the impacts of regime change on Kenya-Tanzania economic relations; and finally to analyse changes in the use of economic diplomacy in strengthening Kenya-Tanzania bilateral relations; 2003-2015. The Interdependence Liberalism theory guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey design. The study was carried out in Nairobi and Namanga, the border point where trade between the two countries occurs. Nairobi is the capital city of Kenya and a host to the High commission office of Tanzania. The study established that Kenya and Tanzania have had close relations; however, this was influenced by ideological differences that each country adopted at independence. The ideological difference shaped the economic diplomacy between the two countries, which was characterised with both hostilities, and cooperation. This however, changed in the 1980 following the collapse of East African Community and between 1990s and 2013, the bilateral relations between the two countries improved tremendously. However, between, 2013-2015, the bilateral relations again was characterised by hostilities occasioned by an exports ban and retaliation by both Dar el Salaam and Nairobi.