Kibaki urges EAC states to waive permit fees

President Kibaki has urged East African Community member states to emulate Kenya and waive work permit fees for the region’s citizens.

On Wednesday, the President waived work permit fees for all East Africans coming to Kenya.

Speaking at a dinner organised to mark the start of the Common Market, the President said: “I will do it (waive work permits fees) and our partners should also do the same.”

“There’s no need for anybody to be charged anything for working in their own home. We want Kenya to be the freest of all,” President Kibaki told participants at the launch whose theme was One People ,One Destiny.

The Head of State also ordered Attorney General Amos Wako to harmonise laws that were in conflict with other EAC states for smooth implementation of the protocol.

He also cut a 10-kg orange cake to welcome the birth of the long awaited single market that would result to free movement of people, trade, capital, labour and services in the 126 million populous region.

Happy Birthday tunes

A police band played Happy Birthday tunes to also welcome the historic event.

President Kibaki said that the protocol will enable Kenyans access greater employment opportunities and “capital mobilisation to boost investments.

Regretting that many Kenyans were unaware of benefits of integration, the Head of State urged leaders to create more awareness of the what its means.

President Kibaki expressed optimism hat those charged with the realisation of the process will facilitate it so that Kenyans can reap its benefits.

“It is my expectation that public servants charged with executing the Common Market especially those responsible for immigration, labour, customs and education, will facilitate the process rather than adopt a control attitude.”

Civil servants should further play greater role in EAC integration, he instructed.

The expanded market, he added, will increase opportunities for trade in goods and services.

Original idea

Terming the launch as bold move, President Kibaki further saluted the country’s forefathers for establishing EAC.

“Today we celebrate the expansion of the original idea of the community. This is a great region with vast potential for business and social networking for our people,” he said.

He said the revival of EAC had led to increased trade among partner states.

According to the Uganda Investment Authority, Kenya is among the top 10 sources of foreign direct investment to Uganda with 27 licensed investment projects worth US $158 million, the President said.

In Tanzania, Kenya is the second biggest investor with 270 companies operating there providing jobs for more than 100,000 people.

Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka said the customs union which started in January has been a success and was confident that the Common Market will also do so.

He said the it will help fight unemployment and poverty.

“It will also lift the region economically,” Mr Musyoka said.

East African Community Permanent Secretary David Nalo said it has been a long journey to the Common Market adding that integration has strengthened various regions.

Kenya Association of Manufacturers chairman Vimal Shah, who spoke of behalf of the private sectors, said the Common Market is good for the region and "a huge opportunity for everybody".

Supporting move

“Where we are going is much brighter,” Mr Shah said and thanked Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Tanzanian presidents for supporting the move.

He said a task force has been formed to look at the laws that need to be harmonised for smooth operationalisation of the market.

The team’s report, he said, will be submitted to him next week for forwarding to State Law Office for action.

Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetangula hailed the region’s forefathers for starting EAC and its current leaders for furthering the course.

“We thank the top leaders for overcoming fear of the unknown to make the integration a reality. Integration is not an option.

"Tanzania has also realised trade balance with Kenya is heavily on its favour,” Mr Wetangula said.