EAST AFRICAN COMMISSION CHALLENGES IN 2001

Challenges that have faced the EAC-2001

1. Suspicion still exists over the perceived dominance of Kenya in the community affairs.
2. Despite signing the treaty in 1999, Tanzania customs are still taxing Kenyan products.
3. Increased cross-border smuggling. The freedom of movement within the region sometimes results in smuggling of illegal arms and spread of crime and insecurity. E.g. the smuggling of a vehicle belonging to Kenya’s Chief of Staff, General Joseph Kibwana to Tanzania in 2004.
4. Cattle rustling across the borders. This is common on the Kenya Uganda border with the Pokot and Karamojong attacking each other
5. Arrest of Kenyan fishermen on Lake Victoria by either Tanzania or Ugandan policemen/navy accusing them of fishing in their waters.
6. Membership to other regional bodies e.g. COMESA, SADDC. This complicates the work of the EAC.
7. The recent wrangles between Kenya and Uganda over ownership of Migingo Island. Although this problem was resolved by Uganda conceding Kenya’s ownership of the Island, it raised tension between the two countries.
8. The use of different currencies by the three nations has made transaction difficult.
9. Political squabbles in the individual countries slow down the progress of the community
10. Individual national interests have slowed down the implementation of the activities of the community the deep-seated differences between the member states over the proposed taxes on imports from countries outside the region.