Kenya's Role in the East African Community Common Market: Infrastructure, Trade, and Open Borders
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Date
2024
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Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies
Abstract
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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Citation
Kirimi, K. J & Ichani, F. X. (2024). Kenya's Role in the East African Community Common Market: Infrastructure, Trade, and Open Borders. Journal of African Interdisciplinary Studies, 8(7), 110 – 119.