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{
    "id": 10359,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/10359/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 172,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Munya",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for East African Community",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 279,
        "legal_name": "Joseph Konzolo Munyao",
        "slug": "joseph-munyao"
    },
    "content": "(c) The common market was formally launched and it came into effect in this region. We are now operating under a common market, but we have certain key issues that have not yet been sorted out to make the common market fully functional. One of the key issues is the domestication of the common market in terms of amending laws within the partner States that do not conform to the common market protocol. In Kenya, we have already done the legislations that are intended to bring our domestic legal regime in conformity with the common market. This omnibus legislation is now in the Attorney-General’s Chambers. It is going through vetting by the Attorney-General before it is brought into this House for purposes of being passed. The other countries are also doing the same. Rwanda has actually passed their legislation. However, the rest of the countries are yet to do it. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, some of the other things we have already done to implement the common market is that Kenya specifically has waived work permits for East Africans who may want to work in Kenya. Rwanda has also done the same. So, Rwandans and Kenyans who may want to work in Rwanda or in Kenya are free to work here without any payment of work permits. The rest of the East African countries are yet to do the same. But they are also in the process of doing the same. Madam Temporary Deputy Speaker, it is important to observe that the common market is supposed to be implemented progressively. It is not supposed to come into effect immediately for all the aspects of the common market. It is a progressive exercise; that is why we are taking it in a phased approach. The first stage which is already in operation is free movement of goods. Now goods produced in East Africa can move with ease, transported and sold everywhere in East Africa without any problem. We have already implemented that phase. Free movement of persons is also in the process of being implemented. Academics, accountants, professionals will soon be free to work anywhere in East Africa without any hindrances. The other stage is free movement of capital; we are yet to come to that stage. However, we are already in the process of negotiating the common monetary union that will usher in some of those aspects of free movement of capital between the East African countries."
}