EAC Protocol Amendment to Be Fast-Tracked, Vows Regional Integration Committee – Hon. Mayaka

The National Assembly Committee on Regional Integration has pledged to expedite the ratification of the Amendments to Article 24 (2) of the East African Community (EAC) Customs Union Protocol.

Speaking during a meeting with the State Department of EAC, the Committee chairperson Hon. Irene Mayaka said that the Committee will make sure that the House approves the ratification of the amendment to pave the way for Partner States to nominate members to the EAC Trade Remedies Committee

"This Committee will ensure that the National Assembly passes the ratification of the amendment to Article 24 (2) of the Protocol," Hon. Mayaka said.  

Currently, the Protocol, under article 24 (2)  limits the East African Trade Remedies Committee membership to nine (9) from Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania with each country having three (3) members, excluding other countries namely: the Republic of Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Federal Republic of Somalia and the Republic of South Sudan.

Appearing before the Committee, the Integration Secretary for the State Department for EAC, Dr. Alice Yalla explained that the ratification of the Protocol will pave the way for Partner States that accede to the Treaty to nominate members to the EAC Trade Remedies Committee.

She noted that the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs in February 2017 submitted a memorandum to the National Assembly Speaker on the ratification of the amendment to Article 24 (2) of the Protocol on the establishment of the EAC Customs Union and has been awaiting approval since then.

However, the Committee sought clarity on the benefits of the ratification to the country, failure by some EAC partner states to honour financial obligations and the state of dispute between Kenya and Tanzania regarding the denial of licences to Kenyan traders.

Dr. Yalla assured members of the Committee that Kenya is reaping well from the region in terms of trade and that the ratification will boost the country's trade aggressively.

"Kenya is the greatest beneficiary of Foreign Direct Investment, and the ratification of the Protocol won't be a burden to the country and will instead strengthen Kenya's trade position," said Dr. Yalla.

Regarding the Kenya-Tanzania Trade Prohibition Act, the Integration Secretary said that the State Department has already deepened the negotiation and is awaiting Tanzania to liberalize.

Regarding the issue of some Partner States not honouring remittances in good time, Dr. Yalla informed the Committee that the State Department is considering other mechanisms and is open to advocacy to amicably resolve the issue.

Once ratified, the aforementioned countries will officially nominate Members of the Trade Remedies Committee and take part in ensuring adherence to the application of EAC Rules of origin, guide subsidies and countervailing measures; regulate safeguard measures and provide safeguard mechanisms.