Uhuru pushes EAC for free movement of labour in bloc
President Kenyatta with EALA Speaker Daniel Kidega. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA
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President Uhuru Kenyatta said restricted movement among the five member states of the bloc was not good for the region’s development.
Mr Kenyatta challenged lawmakers to hasten the legislation of the common market protocol and anchoring in law the right to freedom of movement.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for fast tracking of the East African Community integration to allow free movement of people, goods and expertise within the region.
The President said restricted movement among the five member states of the bloc — Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi — was not good for the region’s development.
“Our union must be strengthened to allow people, capital and services. We have to allow our people to take their skills and capital wherever they will be best rewarded,” said Mr Kenyatta.
The president, who was addressing the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MPs during a sitting at the Senate Chambers in Nairobi on Wednesday, challenged the lawmakers to hasten the legislation of the common market protocol and anchoring in law the right to freedom of movement.
The member states have signed a common market and a single customs union protocol, but they have dragged their feet on deeper economic integration including the free movement of workers and trade. It’s only Rwanda that is open to free labour movement.
Mr Kenyatta said the envisaged political union among the partner countries could not be achieved if people are not allowed to move freely and do business.
He also urged counties to desist from using devolution as an excuse to lock Kenyans out of other devolved units as well as denying them access to available opportunities.
He said Kenyans should be free to reside, farm and do business in any part of the country to improve the economy.
“Why confine energy and skills of our people within their boundaries. We must allow our people ability to move and do business the way they deem fit,” Mr Kenyatta said.
The EALA members led by Speaker Daniel Kidega admitted that there was a need for the bloc to open up free trade.
“The EAC citizens have a right to move freely and work in any partner state. But, few work in another partner states, because they feel and face many challenges,” Mr Kidega said.
He called for harmonised work permits to ensure that immigration officials do not harass EAC citizens, at the border points to promote the integration process.
The EALA also pushed for cooperation among the partner states to enable the parliament become fully autonomous.
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