By Abdi Hussein
husseinabdi527@gmail.com
Ministry of East African Community and Regional Development is engaging
manufacturers and other regional trade stakeholders to streamline surveillance
at Namanga One Stop Border Point (OSBP) to prevent importation of aflatoxin
contaminated cereals into the East Africa regional market.
In wake of Covid-19 pandemic, the regional trade has been facing myriad
challenges including aflatoxin contamination, with trade partner states
incurring colossal losses estimated between 39 to 70 billion US dollars
in the last six months.
To address the teething challenges; the ministry convened a stakeholders
meeting recently at Namanga border entry attended by local manufacturers,
Custom officials, East African Business Council (EABC) members, transporters, traders
and local security team.
The stakeholders’ meeting was prompted by complaints raised by industrialists
and other private sector players, that
some foods and food products imported into the country are contaminated with
aflatoxin and carcinogenic substances, endangering lives with the private
sector incurring huge losses.
Principal
Secretary, State Department for East African Community Dr. Kevit Desai emphasized the need for
seamless safe trade in the region.
Mr Dasai said the region must embrace value addition in free aflatoxin
agriculture produce,food and beverages to tap into the global market.
“The government is seeking public/private partnership to boost regional
trade as a post Covid-19 pandemic strategy. Agribusiness constitutes 70 percent
of total business within East Africa market. Let our local manufactures embrace
farm produce value addition to reap more benefits in global market,”
stated Dr.Desai
He said the government will upgrade the current laboratory at border
entry into a Micro toxin laboratory to increase efficiency in
detecting aflatoxin before cereals are imported into the country.
“We have identified gaps in aflatoxin surveillance, prevention and control
and we have come up with mitigation mechanisms to solve the problem at our
entry points. We want to improve food and safety, investment and ensure safety
of trade and market of agricultural products,” he added.
According to customs department data, about 170 trucks use the Namanga border
entry daily with 130 trucks coming in from Tanzania compared to 40 trucks from
Kenya to Tanzania. This translate to 170 million US dollar trade
daily across the Namanga border entry, with Tanzania enjoying 130 million US
dollar trade compared to Kenya;s 40
million US dollar trade daily.
Kenya
mostly imports farm produce including onions, tomatoes and cereals in large
volumes. A spot check indicates business nolmacy is returning at border entry
with Covid-19 protocols being strictly observed. Tourism sector is also peaking
with visitors streaming in at border entry.
Kenya authorities have been on high alert not to allow aflatoxin affected
cereals into the country from neighbouring countries. A dozen trucks are said
to have been turned away at the border in the last six months. A standoff was
witnessed between Kenya and Tanzania authorities over Covid-19 protocols.
Director Kenya Manufacturers Association Bimal Kantaria said East African trade
is significant to Kenya economic growth, considering Kenya imports large
volumes of raw materials from Tanzania. He challenged the government to ensure
the importation of high quality materials.
“Most local manufacturers have been importing raw materials from
Tanzania signifying the importance of regional trade. Its the government
responsibility to ensure importation of high quality raw materials and farm
produce to support the Big Four agenda realisation,” noted Kantaria.
On his part, Director East African Business Council (EABC) Peter Mathuki
said Kenya’s export volumes have reduced significantly and called for public
private partnership to revive the regional trade. He urged the government to
offer stimulus packages to boost Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and
Agribusiness as post Covid-19 pandemic rescue plan.
Mr Mathuki said Kenya exportation to Tanzania has nosedived from 336 million US
dollars in 2019 to 160 million US dollars in 2020. Also imports volumes from
Tanzania had dropped from 270 million US dollars to 130 million US dollars in
the same period, he added.
“The state must come up with trade revival strategic plan including
offering stimulus packages to SMEs and Agri business traders. The revival
require holistic approach involving private sector,” stated Mathuki.
According East African Business Council (EABC) data, since March 2020 trade
cash flow has decreased significantly within EAC market, with tourism bearing
the major brunt of 92 percent followed by logistic sector with 75 percent cash
flow cut. Manufacturing and construction sectors have not been spared suffering
46 percent and 40 percent respectively.