Kenya and Uganda have expressed interest in the establishment of the third point of entry and exit (PoEE) at their shared border to enhance trade.
Currently, the two East African countries have two major points at the busy Busia and Malaba towns which serve as entry and exit points along the Northern corridor. However, delegations from Kenya and Uganda gave the green light for the establishment of a third PoE at Muluanda area in Samia Sub-County, Busia.
The move to have a third PoE in Busia County comes years after former President Mwai Kibaki toured the site in 2009 accompanied by Western Kenya leaders. At the time, Mr Kibaki said the move to open up Muluanda as a border point would help decongest the Busia and Malaba border points.
During the launch, the Kenyan government was represented by the border management secretariat secretary Kennedy Nyaiyo while Major Martha Asiimwe led the Kenya and Uganda delegation. Busia deputy governor Moses Mulomi represented the county government.
Mr Nyaiyo said Kenya and Uganda have in excess of 200 acres of land along with their borders, which gives it access to more border points.
“The Muluanda PoE requires up to 50 acres of land for establishment. This gives space for other points to be opened. The PoE will help Kenya lower the cost of transportation and secure more revenue as it serves other landlocked nations competing for business within the region.” Border Management Secretariat Secretary Kennedy Nyaiyo.
Recently, Ethiopia and Kenya sealed a deal for a free trade area projected to make cross-border business dealings easier.
The signing of an operational guiding document, the Moyale One Stop Border Post Procedure Manual, in Addis Ababa last week is expected to give the neighbouring countries a competitive edge with regard to goods traded.
The deal seeks to encourage small-scale traders by developing a simplified framework to facilitate their business activities at the border.
