During visits to Uganda and Tanzania, President William Ruto promised to accelerate economic integration in East Africa.
In Uganda, at its Independence Day celebrations, he received a standing ovation. In Tanzania, he promised to facilitate a gas pipeline from Dar-es-salaam to Mombasa.
In return, Ruto expects greater access to the Tanzania and Ugandan markets for Kenyan manufactured goods and skilled labour.
On their side, Uganda and Tanzania expect their eggs, maize and agricultural produce to be given unhindered access to the Kenya market without facing dubious non-tariff trade barriers.
This is the principle of a common market. You profit in some areas, you lose in others, but overall you are better off.
As an incoming president, Ruto can afford some unpopular decisions with a short-term cost but long-term benefit. Kenyan farmers will complain when cheaper eggs and maize arrive in the market although the consumer and the economy will benefit in the long run.
Ruto is doing the right thing to push economic integration with Uganda and Tanzania. The Kenyan economy is already the biggest in East Africa - it can only get bigger if our economies become more open to each other.
Quote of the day: "Athletics is not so much about the legs. It's about the heart and mind."
Eliud Kipchoge
He became the first person to run a marathon in less than two hours in Vienna on October 12, 2019
