Assessment of Kenya’s implementation of the East African community economic integration protocols

Abstract

Constantly evolving dynamics and growth in world economics have given rise to regionalism and regional integration initiatives. Regional alliances are common in Sub- Saharan Africa (SSA), and there are substantial initiatives to promote integration as a means of stimulating economic development. The East African Community (EAC) is one of the most promising partnerships on the African continent. However, both the Customs Union and Common Market stages of the East African Community integration process have not yet been fully-fledged, operationalized and completed. The objectives of this study were to analyze if Kenya has implemented the EAC economic integration Protocols (Customs Union and Common Market Protocols), to examine how Kenya has implemented the EAC Custom Union and Common Market Protocols and to assess whether Kenya has implemented the free movement of labour between Kenya and EAC member states. This was a descriptive surveys research design. The target population were select employees at the various Government of Kenya entities and the private sector, mainly the exporters and the importers in the East African region. In this study, the sample size was determined using the Krecie and Morgan table. The study used primary and secondary data which was collected using structured questionnaires and interview schedule. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 21. Due to the fact that the dependent variable was qualitative with two categories, this study adopted a binomial logistic regression model. Qualitative data was analysed using content analysis which involved interpretation of narratives from the informants. The study which was based on the concept that for a successful integration process to occur within East Africa, each Partner State, must formulate and implement certain laws and regulations to comply with the Customs Union and the Common Market Protocols, showed that the likelihood of having certainty on the overall implementation of two EAC Protocols in Kenya was found more likely to have been implemented. The likelihood of having a high level of implementation of the EAC protocols in Kenya was found to be more likely higher than of low implementation. The likelihood of having free movement of persons on the implementation of the EAC Protocols in Kenya was found to be more likely to have been achieved than the contrary. Kenya has also improved in allowing freedom of movement of persons from the EAC countries within her territories, an assertion also supported by secondary data.