Uhuru, Kagame challenge EAC to allow free movement of people

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame have challenged East African Community member States to open their boundaries for free movement of goods and people in order to fully realise regional integration.

The two heads of State said fears that opening up of borders would see some countries out-compete others are “primitive and unfounded.”

Speaking at the launch of the Sixth East African Business Summit in Kigali, the two Presidents said political will is required to fully integrate the region.

“Let us be frank with each other; we have not been able to move fast because of national fears, a sense of insecurity that if one opens up their people will be denied jobs and other opportunities.

“We must deal with these fears. We need to start talking about our people being the East African people. Kenya and Rwanda have made progress on this.

“We have been clear on opening up our labour market to take full advantage of the labour that is available in the east African region,” Mr Kenyatta said while answering questions from KCB chief executive officer Joshua Oigara.

President Kagame, who hosted the event, said Rwanda is not just allowing east Africans to set up business and work in the country but dealing with the issue of wrong mentalities.

“We have unwarranted worries. We have experimented this in Rwanda. When we opened our borders, removed restriction on work permits and visas, everyone benefited. We have benefited,” Mr Kagame said.

He said some Rwandans had fears that Kenyans are more educated and would take jobs from the Rwandese.

“I told them if Kenyan doctors and engineers come here, do we need them? They said yes ... They said Kenyan doctors will fill the gap where one doctor is currently serving tens of thousands of people,” Mr Kagame said.

The head of State noted there was need for increased conversation to show people the benefits of full integration.

“If Rwanda doesn’t fear labour from Kenya why should other bigger countries in the community worry about Kenya?” he asked.

President Kenyatta, who chairs the EAC Heads of States Summit, said the opening up of the labour market was inspired by the brave approach that Mr Kagame and former President Mwai Kibaki made.

“They took the decision and said citizens of both countries should be able to move freely. The issue of work permits shouldn’t apply.

“I don’t think Kenya and Rwanda are worse off for that position. I believe we are better off. Young people now move freely. I am told a lot of Kenyans now came through Kigali airport using just IDs,” he said.

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President Kagame invited other EAC states to join Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda in pushing for infrastructure development. The three countries have jointly been working together in what has come to be known as the “coalition of the willing.”

“Rwanda has been much better off being in the EAC for the past seven years. We have seen benefits multiplied many times than if we were to work alone,” President Kagame said.

Both leaders emphasised the need for increased investments in infrastructure, energy, ICT, security and health.

“These are the areas that will propel growth within the region. We must exploit ICT which is our biggest competitive advantage unlike in the developed world where infrastructure development is their big advantage,” Mr Kenyatta said.

Mr Kagame emphasized on the need to strengthen regional security saying a joint force is being put together.

“We are in the process of putting together a force that can intervene not only in East Africa but at continental level. There is need for intelligence sharing,” he noted.