Assessment of the Factors Affecting Issuance and Usage of East Africa Travel Documents in Promotion of Free Movement of Persons. A Case Study of Kenya (2008-2013)

Abstract

The movement of persons within a region is an essential for regional integration. This is because free movement of people within a region aims to wide and deepen cooperation among the partner states in economic and social fields for the benefits of partner states. One of the measures of implementing free movement of person within a regional community is by maintaining a common standard travel document for their citizens which is introduced to ease border crossing of regional citizens. East African Community States introduced the East Africa passport and the East Africa Temporary permit to ease free movement for its regional citizens. The East Africa travel documents were introduced more than ten years ago, but there has been very little focus on how the documents have fared on in their promotion of free movement of people across the region. Very few people have applied for the document and have no idea of its existence. Free movement of people within EAC has been challenging and complex. EAC states have not fully implemented at national level decisions on free movement of people made at sub-regional level. Political and economic reasons have affected issuance and usage of East African travel documents. EAC member states are struggling with unemployment levels. States are reluctant to liberalize entry of regional citizens with the view that it will further unemployment situation in their states. The study recommend the need to create awareness to the public and sensitize the citizens on the benefits of holding and using the East Africa travel document.