Prepare for a larger market, advises PM

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has asked Kenyans to prepare to take advantage of an expanded market when the East Africa Common Market protocol comes into effect.

He said countries under the bloc had almost finalised modalities to set up a free trading zone to promote economic development.

Speaking at Busia Municipal Stadium on Sunday, Mr Odinga urged residents to fully exploit the opportunities when the free trade treaty takes effect in July.

“We want to nurture the unity of the East African Community and that is the reason we front for the establishment of the common market and open up our borders for trade,” he said.

Border trade

Mr Odinga, at the same time, warned customs officials at Busia border point to stop frustrating small scale cross-border traders following reports that the officers were a major obstacle to their operations.

He told them to give the small traders room to earn their livelihood especially now that East African countries were warming up for the regional economic bloc.

Mr Odinga said the Coalition Government had already sourced funds amounting to Sh4 billion for the rehabilitation of the Kisumu-Busia highway to improve communication infrastructure ahead of the anticipated market.

Separate funds

“The government has secured Sh1.4 billion from the World Bank towards the rehabilitation and expansion of the Kisumu-Busia highway so that the road is widened to at least 7.5 metres,” he said.

The PM said separate funds for repair of the dilapidated Yala-Busia road were released last week while plans were underway to construct the Amagoro-Malaba road to ease movement of goods and services in the area.

He, however, urged border residents to harmoniously coexist with each other regardless of their ethnic placing and declared his resolve to bridge the unity of all tribes in the country.