Kenya advocates for cross-border safety in proposed East African Confederation

Kenya has submitted proposals to the Committee of Experts overseeing the drafting of the Constitution for the proposed East African Confederation, emphasizing the need for binding obligations on peace-building and strengthening internal security within partner states.

The confederation aims to enhance security, safety, political integration, and socio-economic development among the member states.

One of the key priority areas highlighted by the Ministry of Interior and National Administration in its submission is the establishment of a structured framework for conflict resolution, particularly addressing conflicts between border communities.

Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo referenced recent cross-border clashes between the Turkana and Pokot communities with Uganda, emphasizing the importance of collaborative solutions, sensitization campaigns, and negotiations to promote harmonious sharing of pastoral resources.

The PS also raised concerns about land boundary disputes among the East African Community member states and called for formalized responses to address these differences.

“We recently had an engagement with our counterparts from Uganda, to where our communities are crossing over, whether it's because of drought when they're looking for resources to support their livelihoods. And we continue to have these engagements," Dr. Omollo noted.

He also proposed "country-to-country" engagements to tackle resource-based conflicts and emphasized the importance of joint engagements to resolve contested boundaries.

Regarding foreign and security policies, Dr. Omollo advocated for common positions and unanimous consensus among the member states at international forums.

“If you look at our individual states, we have situations where the boundaries are not very clear or contested. And for me, that will be one of the things that would want to find a way of sorting out even as we go into the confederation. In spaces where there are those contests, we need to encourage joint engagements,” he said.

The PS further stressed the foundational principles upon which the East African society should be built, including the promotion of democracy, the rule of law, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.

He highlighted the need for a robust and civilian-centered law enforcement regime, ensuring that policing around the borders is objective and aligned with the principles of the rule of law.

Dr. Omollo also emphasized the importance of providing citizens with information and awareness about the law to ensure they understand the consequences of their actions.

“Even the ability for us to make the citizens know what they're getting into, in terms of information is very important. But also, when we go and look at the space of where we're looking for respect for human rights and the rule of law, people need to know what the law is so that they are aware of the consequences," he stated.

Overall, Kenya hopes that the proposed political union, which includes all seven sovereign states of the East African Community, will promote solidarity and strengthen the political and governance institutions of the member states.