Eala wants to iron out differences pitting Kenya against Uganda over Migingo Island, as well as the frosty ties between Kenya and Tanzania.
The East African Legislative Assembly will adopt a different approach in resolving trade conflicts among member states — it will engage counties directly instead of going through national governments.
Eala, for instance, wants to iron out differences pitting Kenya against Uganda over Migingo Island, as well as the frosty ties between Kenya and Tanzania.
Newly elected members of Eala will also work with local authorities to resolve border rows that have threatened integration over the years.
Mr Mathias Kasamba, Eala MP from Uganda and chairperson of the Northern Corridor project, said utilisation of resources and business in member countries would flourish through free flow of people.
“The traditional system of government is to block each other. We will try to harmonise these laws to ease movement and ensure non-tariff barriers are reduced and uniform,” he said.
The EAC trading bloc brings together Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan.
There has been conflict between Kenya and Uganda, leading to harassment of fishermen on Lake Victoria by Ugandan security agencies. Attempts to address the dispute have not been successful due to political interests.
Kenya and Tanzania have also had business wars, with both imposing trade import bans on several commodities, among them gas and wheat.
Last year, Kenya complained over Tanzania’s decision to burn 6,400 imported chicks for fear of bird flu and auction of 130 cows belonging to Kenyan herders for trespass.
Mr Kasamba spoke in Kisumu when he and other Eala members — including Kenyan representative Oburu Oginga — visited Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o last week. They were on a road trip from Arusha to Burundi.
Governor Nyong’o said he would try to ensure the survival and sustainability of Lake Victoria, noting that it has been threatened by environmental degradation.
The 68,800km square resource is the second largest fresh water body in the world. It is shared by the three original members of the East African Community and is viewed as a binding factor. It is a source of livelihood for close to 30 million people.
“If we do not do something about the lake, it will die in 50 years. Lake Victoria Basin Commission must come up with an action plan through which member states can save the lake,” said Prof Nyong’o.
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