For decades, Kenya and other African countries have overly tended to spend much of their political and diplomatic capital engaging countries located far from their borders, particularly the former colonial masters.

As a matter of fact, Africans treat their peers with inexplicable disdain and hostility. Little wonder that it is sometimes easier to communicate or trade with someone located in Europe or Asia than on the continent.

While much of that is informed by a colonial legacy that should have — with conscious effort — been eradicated, the situation persists. Granted, some trading and economic blocs have put effort to address this structural anomaly, but we are not there yet.

The East African Community (EAC) has generally done a commendable job though. For instance, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have continued to open their capital markets to EAC members. Tanzania, albeit belatedly, has followed suit.

This will help listed companies in the bloc easily raise capital as well as allow investors, including pension funds to diversify portfolios and make some cash.

On Tuesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta during his second-term swearing in borrowed a leaf from Rwandan head of state Paul Kagame and allowed Africans coming to Kenya to be issued with visas at the point of entry.