.Political and economic factors as determinants on Inter State- Relations: a case study of Kenya and Tanzania, 1964-1988

Abstract

It was the changing relations between Kenya and Tanzania over the years that stimulated this research. The former members of the East African Community had formed ideal partners, having shared colonial background. common languages, trade systems, borders and ethnic groups. But instead of harmonious coexistence there were several conflicts between the two countries to the point that the economic community in which both belonged collapsed. The purpose of this study was to examine the factors which brought these changing relations between 1964 and 1988. The analysis starts with the idea that the different national interests both in the theoretical point of view and in the context of the two countries’ relations brought the conflictual relations experienced by the two countries. The friendly relations which occurred during the early years of independence attributed to more or less similar interests pursued by these two countries during that period There was also the political goodwill on the part of the states as they believed they had common destiny, that is. they were emerging from colonialism.