Kenya Revenue Authority should respect EAC protocol

In response to an article in the Sunday Monitor of February 17 titled “Kenyans block Ugandan sugar from entering their market”, I would like to ask whether the Kenya Revenue Authority is interested in the East African Community integration?

In response to an article in the Sunday Monitor of February 17 titled “Kenyans block Ugandan sugar from entering their market”, I would like to ask whether the Kenya Revenue Authority is interested in the East African Community integration?

The East African Community is undergoing an integration process in stages. Having agreed on the treaty establishing the EAC that came into force on July 7, 2000 and concluded the Customs Union Protocol, the Common Market Protocol and now left with the Monetary Union and Political Federation, the EAC partner states ought to think of integration as a priority.

The act of impounding Ugandan sugar heading for Kenya at the Busia border by the KRA was uncalled for. Kenya as a member of the EAC ratified the protocols on the establishment of the East African Community Common Market and establishment of the East African Community Customs Union which both provide for the free movement of goods within the region.

Article 6 of the former Protocol at least provides so. This suprises me because the Ugandan market is full of Kenyan products and if the Uganda Revenue Authority was to “return the favour”, I don’t think it would please Kenya.

My prayer, therefore, is that the KRA remembers the reason why we concluded and ratified these protocols which is for the benefit of all the Partner States and not just some.

Arnold Ndagije,
arnoldndagije@gmail.com