Kenyan and Tanzanian trade officials are to meet in the coming days to find a lasting solution to the incessant trade disputes that continue to ruin the two countries’ diplomatic relations.

The rows, some of which have been bubbling under the surface for years now, were this week amplified by utterances by Kenyan city legislator Charles Njagua suggesting that foreigners trading in his constituency be evicted over “unfair competition.”

The remarks, which were roundly condemned by the countries’ governments and parliaments, were understood to target Tanzanians in Nairobi’s Gikomba open-air market, where the second-hand clothes business thrives.

Although Njagua was arrested and charged in a Nairobi court, but his utterances reverberated throughout the region, going against an earlier invitation by President Uhuru Kenyatta to the EAC citizens to visit, do business, settle and even marry in Kenya.

The Tanzanian Kenyan and regional parliaments debated the matter. Tanzanian lawmakers said that his statement should not be taken lightly and demanded an official reassurance from Nairobi of the safety to Ta

East African Legislative Assembly member Dr Abdullah Makame withdrew his motion to censure Kenya after Mr Njagua was arrested.

In the motion, Dr Makame wanted Kenyan authorities to distance themselves from Mr Njagua’s “xenophobic, discriminatory and hate-filled utterances” against foreign nationals.

“East Africans now have a practical lesson in such irresponsible statements that resulted in the loss of peace, property and life in the Republic of South Africa,” the Tanzanian EALA representative said.

“He urged leaders at all levels within EAC partner states to be more wary of their statements in a modern digital era whose technology makes it easier for such statements to go viral to the detriment of the bloc’s “one people, one destiny” spirit.

He also called on EAC partner states to “make it mandatory for leaders to comprehend the regional integration initiatives.”

Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for East African Community and Regional Development Adan Mohamed reassured the region that Mr Njagua’s views reflected neither those of the Kenyan government nor Kenyans as a people.

“The relevant security organs have already taken action against Mr Njagua,” Mr Mohamed told parliament.

#The EastAfrican