Strategic national interests in regional integration in East Africa-Case study of Kenya

Abstract

African regional integrations have always been informed by what each country will gain as a result of integrating with others. This therefore means that each country positions itself in such a way that it will always benefit from any form of cooperation. The jealousy occasioned by the political leaders to preserve the sovereignty of their countries means that full integration takes long to be realized. Each country in pursuit of its national interests directly or indirectly impedes or hastens full integration. This research paper has analyzed the strategic national interests that occasion regional integration in Africa with a focus on Kenya in the EAC. It has critically analyzed the EAC Treaty, Protocols and the levels that national interests of Kenya have impeded full implementation of the protocols. It has made a comparison of the strategies used in the wider African Union in so far as national interests are used to advance a country‟s agenda. The research study has analyzed the national interests that Kenya has pursued within the EAC and the level to which they have inhibited regional integration in East Africa. The study has proffered veritable recommendations on the way forward towards ensuring that Kenya minimizes these stumbling blocks for regional integration in East Africa to achieve full integration.