Malonza highlights ministry achievements after Somalia joined EAC bloc
Business
By
James Wanzala
| Dec 01, 2023
The East Africa Community(EAC) has achieved several milestones since the treaty to establish it was signed twenty-four years ago.
This is according to EAC Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza while highlighting some of the achievements yesterday with the most significant being increasing ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business/article/2001454137/new-eac-tariff-will-catalyse-manufacturing-says-ps">membership from the original< three to seven.
The bloc initially comprised Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania before Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) joined. And now Somalia is the new kid on the block, having been admitted last Friday after a decade of intense lobbying.
The admission raised eyebrows and excitement in equal measure considering that the country has had a long history of insecurity due to the Al-Shabab terrorist group that has not only been a thorn in the flesh of Somalia but the entire EAC bloc.
READ MORE
Battle royale experienced at Interbank Golf event
Cheche: We have a big task at the World Cup next month
KCB's Karan Patel focused on clinching Burundi Rally
Africa Paves the Way for a Greener Future: Global Conference Highlights Ecosystem Revitalisation
Media urged to go digital to tap shifting consumer trends
Jail term, hefty fine for pastors with unregistered churches
Ambitious Awuor eager to leave a mark on her World Cup debut
Experts warn of bureaucratic hurdles in new movable property bill
Ruto hails Parliament as his key partner
Kenya Navy golfer Mochanga overcomes all odds to take command at Sea-Link Mombasa Course
="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/opinion/article/2001486171/eac-integration-a-silver-lining-for-kenya-will-boost-economy">Addressing the media< in the company of EAC State Department Principal Secretary Abdi Dubat, Malonza defended the admission saying Somalia's presence comes with a lot of benefits including trade, integration and working together to strengthen the community in terms of membership.
“I know we have had our challenges as a region in terms of terrorism. But when we put our minds together we can solve problems just like we did for DRC. It's the same way we shall do in tackling terrorism in this region together working with Somalia and now I believe we shall get a new focus in addressing as eight member states,” she explained.
The EAC integration process is anchored on four pillars namely customs union, common market, monetary union and political federation.
“We have also been able to do joint infrastructure development projects such as the Arusha-Namanga-Athi River Road, operationalisation of the East African passport and abolished the ="https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/business/article/2001462841/eala-mps-call-for-increased-funding-to-eac-ministry">visa requirements for the< citizens of the EAC,” said Malonza.
She highlighted joint management of transboundary resources such as the Mara River and Lake Victoria basins, the establishment of the EAC Court of Justice, the East African Legislative Assembly(EALA) and institutions to fast track the integration process, ensuring notable efficiency along member states transport corridors as some of the other achievements.
"On the Northern Corridor, the turnaround time of movement of goods has reduced from eighteen to four days from Mombasa to Kampala and twenty-one to six days from Mombasa to Kigali is a great achievement too,” noted the CS.