The Role of Regional Integration in Reducing Dependency: The Case of Kenya in the East African Community

This study brought out the analysis of dependency level brought about by EAC economic integration among its member states; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and Rwanda. A comparative analysis of the failures and achievement of the old and new EAC was focused on to bring out the level of reduction in over reliance to the foreign aid into the region. This analysis was based on the level of reduction of trade barriers, and elimination of some of these restrictions. Therefore, elements such as market integration, institutional integrations, as well as political uniformity were some of the factors which were embraced towards realizing the independence of the region. This approach follows the three objective perspectives; to analyze the various perspective of regional integration and their effectiveness in the world; to determine the challenges and opportunities experienced in EAC integration; to assess factors influencing intra-EAC trade; and to analyze the level of sustainability in EAC development. The study findings notes that there has been considerable steps taken in reducing foreign aid dependency through expanding infrastructure, opening up markets, integrating customs; and integrating regional institutions, which is given some level of sovereignty. This step however has experienced some challenges especially with the overlapping of membership such as Tanzania having membership with SADC, Uganda and Kenya having membership with COMESA, and others as well. This reduces the level of concentration in contributing towards regional bodies with the same policy requirements.