The governments of Kenya and Uganda have expressed commitment to ensure that communities living along the border co-exist peacefully as they engage in trade and economic development.
In a joint Communique signed by the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for the East African Community Affairs, ASALS, and Regional Development Peninah Malonza and Ugandan First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, they underscored the good bilateral relations between the two partner states and emphasized the need to continuously strengthen them through the Joint Ministerial Commission, unilateral engagements and other diplomatic structures.
Malonza and Kadaga reiterated the importance of cross-border relations adding that people at the border need each other for survival.
The duo directed the border control agencies to facilitate the movement of communities living along the border per the available regulations.
The top government officials agreed to address challenges that were raised by Busia stakeholders within the shortest time possible and directed border control agencies to implement the simplified trade regime to support small-scale traders.
They further underscored the need for proper checks and certification of fish consignment at Busia OSBP to facilitate the seamless movement of fish consignment in transit to the DRC.
They also urged fishermen in Lake Victoria to comply with the fishery laws and regulations including avoidance of fishing in fish breeding and nursery areas, timely registration, and licensing of all fisheries activities.
The Ministers further reiterated the need to gazette and fast-track the opening of additional points of entry along the common boundary to further strengthen integration.
They at the same time, they directed officials of the two ministries responsible to immediately embark on joint sensitization of stakeholders to promote awareness of the East African Integration process.
The leaders also agreed to hold bilateral Ministerial meetings every six months on a rotational basis at various One-Stop Border Posts between the two partner states.
The two teams toured the Busia One Stop Border Post before meeting various stakeholders to listen to their grievances before signing a joint communiqué.
By Salome Alwanda
