(Originally published on May 3rd 2022)
Over the weekend I visited Tanzania and was interested in witnessing policy in action. Three things stood out for me: border control, health and sanitation and perception of the EAC.
Border Control
I used two of the five land border crossings during the journey, exiting Kenya through the Loitoktok/ Tarakea border and later returning to Kenya through Namanga. The Namanga border post is open 24hrs while the Loitoktok/Tarakea post opens at 6am and closes at 8 pm. The other three land crossings between Kenya and Tanzania are at Isebania, Taveta and Lunga Lunga. While the Namanga border crossing is a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) where both Kenyan and Tanzanian officials operate from the same physical enclosure, the Loitoktok/Tarakea post is not.
Time spent at Namanga was one hour for our group of 25 compared to one hour forty minutes spent at Loitoktok/ Tarakea. The OSBP is convenient for travelers when presenting documentation. Additionally, the access to local mobile networks at Namanga played a role in easing communication for our group whereby we were able to make calls and access the internet easily, compared to the experience at Loitoktok/Tarakea where we were roaming on our local mobile networks and internet access was limited (with the exception of those who had both Kenyan and Tanzanian telephone lines), causing the group to have some difficulty in sharing information on our whereabouts as we moved to the different check points and country offices. Familiarity with the process during the return journey may have also been a factor that reduced the time spent.
Gaps in security were evident at Loitoktok/Tarakea where the body scanner machine was present but unattended, meaning we were able to walk through, with phones in hand and other electronics, and the machine proceeded to beep incessantly, but without implications. We did not have our finger prints scanned at Loitoktok/Tarakea either however pictures of our faces were taken at both posts. While several considerations may play a role in determining the utility of establishing a One Stop Border Post including how much cargo transits through a particular area, availability of funds, political will etc., their efficacy is tried and tested and they save time, which makes money.
NB: If you are not a citizen of the East African Community (or the 43 visa-exempt countries) it’s important to note that Kenya does not issue visas on arrival, visa application is 100% online. Citizens of South Sudan (a member country of the EAC) also need a visa. Applications must be completed online, allowing 5-8 days for processing. It’s expected that several delegates will be arriving for the Africities conference in two weeks, therefore worth a mention here.
Health and sanitation
It was a relief to be able to cross into Tanzania without a PCR test, having obtained Covid-19 vaccination outside the EAC. The officials referred to the CoronaCheck app that states the type of vaccine given and the accompanying documentation that confirmed vaccination was done.
At the border, sanitation stations have been placed adjacent to the main points of entry/exit. At Loitoktok (Kenya) and Tarakea (Tanzania) separate initiatives are in place, with support from the private sector being evident at the Tarakea sanitation station (Tanzania Private Sector Foundation).
At Namanga, the sanitation station, jointly developed with partners, is more weather resistant and exists as a permanent structure.
Garbage is also taken seriously, with Moshi town receiving recognition for its cleanliness. The first signpost upon entry into Tanzania through Loitoktok/Tarakea warns against littering, with a fine of approximately $130 for transgressors.
The attitude towards cleanliness was also evident with the locals, who cautioned us against littering.
As we travelled through Moshi town, this statue came into view.
At first glance one notices the soldier carrying a riffle and the words ‘Water for Life/ Maji ni Uhai’ below. Students of history will appreciate the symbolism of the statue, and its irony, but more important is its role as a reminder of the commitment Moshi town has made to water provision for its citizens. To read more about how Moshi uses multilevel governance in its waste and water management, a good article to start with is this. By involving different stakeholder groups, including private contractors, community based organizations and the government, the city is better placed to develop climate mitigation programs compared to one in which no similar structure exists.
Perception of the EAC
An adequate understanding of the perception towards the East African Community would require more time. However, here I highlight a subtle difference noticed during the journey.
When I read this bill board, particularly the last section stating ‘Together we build our nation’, I interpreted nation to mean East African region, the aspiration towards a political and economic union. Later while speaking with a colleague I realized they interpreted nation as Tanzania. To mean building Tanzania in concert with other East African countries. Though our perspectives differed, clarifying points of view helped avoid miscommunication where both people read the same thing and interpretation differed.
Final thoughts:
For Kenya and Tanzania, two nations that have a continuously evolving history, it was a breath of fresh air to see that we still share in what matters. Our foods may have different variations (where chips mayai is to Tanzania what smokie pasua is to Kenya), and the Swahili may be more detailed in Tanzania but the areas where we are improving and growing in are related, ease of travel is noticeable and we can push for better collaboration in regional mobile network provision.
Thank you to @Alex Mbogo and the team at Yana Trekkers for excellent facilitation during the journey.
