Kenya has taken a key step to strengthen regional trade by ratifying an amendment to Article 24(2)(a) of the East African Community (EAC) Customs Union Protocol. The move allows new member states to join the bloc’s Trade Remedies Committee, enhancing cooperation and shared oversight of trade matters across East Africa.
The ratification brings Kenya in line with other partner states moving to approve the amendment. After all nine EAC members complete the process, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia will each appoint three representatives to the committee.
The expanded committee will now handle critical trade issues, including rules of origin, anti-dumping actions, countervailing measures, subsidies, safeguard measures, and dispute resolution under the Customs Union framework.
At present, the panel consists of nine members from Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, the founding members. The amendment is aimed at integrating new entrants and ensuring all partner states have equal participation in trade governance.
Regional Integration Committee Chairperson Irene Mayaka noted that the delay in ratification was due to procedural challenges, despite earlier efforts to submit the process to the National Assembly.
Leader of the Majority Party Kimani Ichung’wah endorsed the motion and urged all partner states to embrace open borders, pointing to the potential for regional and continental economic growth.
“As we accommodate all these good neighbours, those restrictive to open the borders must embrace the spirit of East African Cooperation and African Free Trade Area because bigger numbers come with a bigger market and will help drive economic growth,” Ichung’wah said.
Eldas MP Adan Keynan stressed that Kenya must continue to set a leading example for the region. “Kenya is a leading nation. We should be aspiring to the standards of developed nations and not in the league of struggling nations. Let us demonstrate leadership in terms of payments for other partner states to emulate,” he said.
Mombasa County MP Mohammed Zamzam called for protection of Kenyan business interests across East Africa, noting that challenges remain despite Kenya’s openness.
Kathiani MP Robert Mbui highlighted that EAC integration ultimately aims for a political federation, and that respect for human rights and fairness is key to achieving this goal.
“This is the beginning of a long journey. The EAC countries look forward to a political federation, which is the ultimate goal. It’s important to note that once we finalise, political federation and a bigger market. Partner states must be fair and respect human rights,” he said.
Once the amendment is fully ratified, the enlarged Trade Remedies Committee is expected to improve dispute resolution and foster stronger economic links across the East African region.
