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{
    "id": 102431,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/102431/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 175,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Raila",
    "speaker_title": "The Prime Minister",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 195,
        "legal_name": "Raila Amolo Odinga",
        "slug": "raila-odinga"
    },
    "content": " Thank you Mr. Speaker, Sir. I rise to make a brief statement on what Kenyans should expect when the East African Community Common Market Protocol comes into force on 1st July, 2010. Allow me to add a few words on the strategy for full implementation of the 2010/2011 Budget. Hon. Members may recall that when the Heads of State and Governments of the East African Community’s, five partner states appended their signatures to the Common Market Protocol, it ushered in two sets of actions. First, a full customs union became a reality on 1st January, 2010 where internal tariffs were fully eliminated. Secondly, the ratification process began in each of the partner states as required by the treaty that established the East African Community. In Kenya, this process included sensitization of the public about the opportunities that would be brought about by the common market as well as undertaking possible implementing challenges that would need to be addressed. All five partner states have deposited their respective instruments of ratification with the Secretary-General in Arusha, therefore, paving the way for the protocol coming into force at the scheduled date of 1st July, 2010. The process of implementation will thus begin. As we await to welcome the common market in July, Kenyans should expect the following: First, we will issue an implementation schedule that outlines specific provisions of the protocol and the timetable. Second, we will establish a legally binding set of regulations that translates the commitments contained in the annexes into actions. Third, we will submit a Miscellaneous Amendment Bill which, once approved, will enable our national laws to comply with the requirements, provisions and protocol. Fourth, we will continue to simplify administrative procedures related to the freedoms and rights as found in the protocol. Finally, we will strengthen our implementation capacities in order to ensure timely enforcement. The Government will also continue with the nationwide sensitization programme targeting all implementing agencies; the private sector, the media and the general public. In fact, this morning, I chaired the Prime Minister’s round table with the private sector and shared with them what the commencement of the East African Common Market Protocol will entail. We identified the challenges that lay ahead of us and I undertook to remove roadblocks, cumbersome border crossing and other hindrances to free trade within the Community. I stressed the opportunities that the Common Market will bring to uplift the living standards of all Kenyans, and urged the private sector to take full advantage of these opportunities. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I would like to take this opportunity to, sincerely, thank Kenyans for their great support to the East African Community Integration Agenda. I ask for patience and tolerance as we journey towards greater heights of integration and as we aspire to build a regionally and globally competitive Community. We must do so together with our brothers and sisters in the region. Their success is our success and the success of the East African Community is the success of all citizens of this region."
}