The Cabinet of the Republic of Kenya under the chairmanship of His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki today ratified the EAC Common Market Protocol in Nairobi, Kenya.
According to the Minister of the East African Community of Kenya, Hon. Amason Jeffah Kingi, the Kenya Cabinet ratified the Protocol and the instrument of ratification shall be delivered shortly to the Secretary General of the East African Community in Arusha, Tanzania.
Kenya becomes the fourth EAC Partner State to ratify the Protocol after the Republics of Uganda and Rwanda and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The Chairperson of the East African Community Council of Ministers, Hon. Dr. Diodorus Kamala at the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) sitting concluded last week in Kigali, Rwanda reiterated Partner States’ committment to the EAC Common Market Protocol noting that three EAC members had completed their respective processes of ratifying the Protocol.
The Minister said at the same meeting that in tandem with the ratification processes, Partner States would enact the relevant enabling legislation to bring the provisions of the Common Market Protocol into domestic law by 21 August 2010; and review their domestic laws to ensure that the same are consistent with the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community.
The Common Market Protocol observes the principal of non-discrimination in each Partner States’ treatment of nationals of other Partner States. It seeks to accelerate economic growth and development through the attainment of free movement of goods, persons and labour, the rights of establishment and residence, among other key provisions.
Pursuant to a directive made by the EAC Heads of State at the 11th Summit held on 20 November 2009, Partner States undertook to ratify the Protocol and deposit the instruments with the Secretary General by 30 April 2010.
Source: East African Community (EAC)
