Bargaining National Interests in the East African Community: the Case of Kenya

Abstract

This project examines the implications of national interests in the East African integration process. The premise of our investigation is that despite states being self interested and self sufficiency, they are also interested in cooperation with other states. It is on this premise that we analyze the bargaining processes and negotiations that area aimed at reconciling national interest with .the community interest for integration to proceed uninterruptedly. We co-vary national interests and community interest with the successes or failures in East Africa integration especially the implementation of the East African customs Union. I We identify successful bargaining and negotiations among the member states as the only avenue through which national interests is reconciled and harmonized with the community interest for the common good of the entire East African community. We observe that insufficient bargaining or failure/ disagreement among partner states over their national interests slows down the integration process and implementation of the treaty and established protocols.