Wellness & Fitness

Business, social collaborations needed to spearhead integration

Omamo

From left: Cabinet secretaries Phyllis Kandie, Raychelle Omamo, Michael Kamau and Amina Mohamed follow proceedings at the third EAC Head of States retreat. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE

A recent online discussion on Twitter on the state of African politics drew participants from diverse nations across our continent. The discussion was triggered by a question by an international media house on democracy in Africa and leadership of the late Muammar Gaddafi.

Many bad things are said about our current crop of politicians and their leadership styles. In the case of Gaddafi, his totalitarian approach to matters didn’t endear him to many. Yet his “One Africa” dream, which advocated for a unified political and economic region, is perhaps one of the most poignant ideas he left behind despite his many other flaws.

The discussion that begun as a political one ended up on an economic note, highlighting just how intricately politics and economics are intertwined.

All this is said in light of the concluded gathering of EAC regional protocols leaders in Nairobi and the style of decision making regarding some of the treaties projects. Comments from three EAC Presidents at our Jamhuri Day celebrations point to their belief: we will be better doing business as a region.

Two recent developments lay emphasis to their shared belief – the ongoing customs, trade and border points and the new proposal on the movement of labour and people. While the executive and the protocol secretariat are sold on the idea, the same cannot be said of many of the people on the ground.

Just how much the average Kenyan, Ugandan or Rwandese understands about the prescribed benefits remains to be discovered. However, the people I interact with seem ill informed about this big project. All ongoing discussion forums are mainly targeting the elite – television, Internet and social media discussions.

Collectively as per the Kenya Demographic and Household Survey, these account for less than 25 per cent of media access for our citizens.

An article in the EastAfrican a month ago shows that architects of the federation’s blueprint are focused on infrastructural integration as the cornerstone of achieving this common marketplace. Thus road, rail, telecommunication projects are under development in the various country members as well as the easing of work permit restrictions and travel documents.

However, little seems to be done to integrate the citizens of the various member states. For longevity and stability of the union, it is imperative that citizens and players in the various sectors be sold onto the idea. Business, cultural and scientific collaborations should form the foundation for the union in addition to the infrastructural projects.

As the Kenyan healthcare market is the strongest in the region, it is quite likely that many of our firms will look to spreading their wings regionally. But without acceptance of the federation by all players, those of us venturing into new markets may face lukewarm reception.

As has happened elsewhere, there certainly will be anxiety, fear and negative sentiments about the dominant market player.

Email: [email protected], Twitter:@edwardomete