EAC states rush to beat market laws deadline

Contraband goods on the other hand may be genuine but contravene the regulations on import and export.

The EAC common market forms an economic bloc with a combined population of 125 million and a total gross domestic product of $55 billion.

EAC members last year paved way for the common market, after they struck a deal over the three contentious issues that had held back negotiations.

Under the agreement reached in Arusha, Tanzania in November, the EAC Common Market Protocol would be subject to national laws on matters relating to land ownership, choice of identification documents, and right of residence.

This means that Kenya can, for instance, choose to allow citizens of other EAC member states to enter its territory using national identity cards, but subject such persons to its national laws in terms of residence.

It also opens an avenue for Tanzania, which has been on edge over the three issues, to grant Rwandans and Ugandans the right of residence, but subject Burundians and Kenyans to national laws regarding the same.