We’ve Been Shortchanged, Kenyans Say After Uhuru-Museveni Trade Talks

Kenyans online have questioned what Kenya stands to gain following recent bilateral talks between President Kenyatta and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni.

Kenyans on social media claim the country was shortchanged in the trade talks after it appeared that Uganda scored highly.

Details about what was agreed in the meeting appear to suggest that Kenya settled for a raw deal.

Kenya has agreed to increase its sugar imports from Uganda from 36,000 metric tonnes to 90,000 metric tonnes per.

Further, Ugandan dairy producers seeking to export milk to Kenya will now do less paperwork compared to the past. 

President Kenyatta has also opened the way for Ugandan tile makers to access the Kenyan market.

The two President also agreed to have goods destined for Uganda cleared in the shortest time possible at the Mombasa Port.

Kenya has also reopened gates for Ugandan farmers to export cheap eggs to Kenya. This is despite Kenyan farmers lacking a market for their eggs.

Reports show Kenyan farmers produce 1.6 billion eggs per year while annual consumption is at 1.2 billion.

As if this is not enough, President Kenyatta has also announced that Kenya will offer Uganda a piece of land in Naivasha for them to build a dry port for their goods.

Kenyatta said the dry port would ease the cost of transporting goods between the two countries. 

“I have confirmed to President Museveni that with that development in Naivasha and then moving the SGR to Malaba, goods will be able to move from Mombasa to Malaba in just two days,” President Kenyatta said.

Ugandan government agreed to lift the ban on beef imports from Kenya.

The two also agreed to resolve the Migingo Island dispute within the next 90 days.

Kenyans have taken issue with the trade talks, accusing Kenyan officials of settling for less and failing to put the country’s interest first. 

Citizen TV Journalist Linus Kaikai questions: “Uganda is Kenya’s largest market and these talks are very important but what is Kenya getting out of these bilateral discussions between Uhuru and Museveni?”

Political analyst Prof. Edward Kisiang’ani tweets: “Just wondering aloud! Isn’t it more beneficial for us to built our own inland port at Naivasha then charge Uganda for using it than giving Uganda our land so it builds its own inland port in our country? I don’t understand this deal . Help me please!”

Nyawira Gitaka notes: “A country that doesn’t take care of its farmers is one that’s slowly dying! Every Kenyan should be worried. When the farmer is threatened your life is at stake!”

“Everybody is out there trying to promote agriculture amongst young people but we are killing the sector every other day. Our Youth don’t get into agriculture unless it is a profitable venture like any other enterprise,” says Rodgers Kirwa.