Kenya and Tanzania will today hold a joint drive at Taveta border town to sensitise citizens of both countries on the EAC integration.

Kenya’s minister of East Africa Co-operation Musa Sirma

The EAC Minister Musa Sirma and his Tanzania counterpart Samuel Sita are expected to chair the public baraza at Holili border point in Taveta District, Taita-Taveta County.

In a statement to The Standard, acting EAC Permanent Secretary Chiboli Shakaba said the forums involving key stakeholders and public rallies will be held to engage the local people on the EAC integration journey. “These are crucial engagement forums for the border citizens and also those on transit to partner states. The meetings will provide a platform to educate the public,” said the PS.

Mr Sirma said the forums were being held at a time of high expectations by the East African people on benefits of the community.

The minister added that the Common Market Protocol, which provides free movement of labour, capital, persons and the right of establishment, would further promote increased productivity, wealth creation, competitiveness, and enhance the entrepreneurial capacity of the private sector and lead to better standards of living for the residents of member states.

Waived fees

Other guests expected are Permanent Secretaries from both countries, transport associations officials, Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry, small and micro-enterprises, local authorities, district heads and Government agencies. The meeting will allow the public to raise the issues that affect them especially at the border points.

Urging citizens from all partner states, Sirma noted that by embracing the EAC integration, the region’s citizens would benefit from the open borders operating 24 hours, waived work permit fees, opening doors to investors and reduced road blocks along the Northern corridor.

Kenyan traders going to do business in Tanzania have persistently been subjected to harassment while their citizens conduct their business free of charge in Kenya.

By Renson Mnyamwezi, The Standard