Communities living within a ten-kilometer radius of the common boundary between Kenya and Tanzania have been exempted from custom regulations whilst trading in goods and services.
A communiqué singed between Kenya and Tanzania allows those living near the border to move freely without being subjected to movement permits.
Trade between countries is normally regulated to ensure each country reaps maximum benefits from the deals. This could either be through tax collection or control of entry of some goods. However, communities of living closer to the border are seen as being denied the market if both countries slap blanket regulations.
It is on this backdrop that Kenya and Tanzania in 2012 signed a deal allowing those living within a ten-kilometer radius of the common border to move freely without being subjected to movement permits.
However, recently the Maasai community raised concern about some taxation imposed against their livestock while they crossed the border in search of pasture.
A representative of the community stressed the need of involving them in the integration journey which was a pre-curser to the operationalization of the One Stop Border Posts.
Based on this Kenya Revenue Authority and Tanzania Revenue Authority convened meetings to address the issue.
A ten man committee was formed to come up with cross border procedures and regulations for the peaceful co-existence between the pastoralist Maasai community and other stakeholders, to ensure that livelihood amongst the local communities was not disrupted, as the move would impact negatively the success of the EAC integration.
The Tanzania Revenue Authority challenged the border committees to come up with simplified trade regime, to enable the community living along the common border move with ease.
He stressed that an effective and more agreeable agreement by all stakeholders and the coordinating committee would create a lasting harmony and peace amongst the pastoralist and business communities.
The forum stressed the need to honor working agreements between communities living along the common borders so as to live in harmony.
Amongst the issues that were raised by the Joint Border Coordinating committee included the removal of illegal structures within the ‘no-man’s land” so as to address the rising insecurity in the area.
Source: 24 Seven News

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