President William Ruto’s recent remarks acknowledging Tanzania’s overtaking of Kenya as East Africa’s leading trading nation have sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans.
Speaking at the 25th commemoration of the East African Community (EAC) in Arusha, Tanzania, Ruto praised Tanzania’s economic progress, highlighting its new position as the region’s top trading country.
“I commend Tanzania for overtaking Kenya in goods and services traded within East Africa. Kenya was previously the leader in the region, but today, Tanzania has surpassed us,” Ruto said.
He emphasized the need for regional collaboration to drive prosperity, adding,
“If we are to prosper, we need a big enough market for our people to trade and invest.”
Kenyans Respond With Criticism and Support
Ruto’s remarks ignited heated discussions on X (formerly Twitter), with many Kenyans expressing discontent. Critics blamed his administration’s policies for Kenya’s decline in regional trade dominance.
“What kind of reasoning is this? Our economy is in tatters, and he wants to commend Tanzania instead of addressing our challenges!” one user lamented.
Another branded the comments “shameless,” while others criticized the government for “punitive policies” they believe have hindered Kenya’s economic growth.
However, a section of Kenyans applauded Ruto for his candid acknowledgment and support for regional integration.
Supporters argued that fostering collaboration within the EAC is vital for long-term economic stability and growth.
Tanzania’s Growing Trade Dominance
In November 2024, Tanzanian publication The Citizen reported that Tanzania had overtaken Kenya as Uganda’s largest source of imports from Africa.
The Bank of Uganda noted that in the year ending June 2024, Uganda imported $4.17 billion worth of products from COMESA and other African nations, with Tanzania accounting for 42.56% of the total.
Uganda’s imports from Tanzania include gold, rolled iron or non-alloy steel, carboys, groundnuts, bottles, and flasks.
In comparison, Kenya accounted for 19.55% of Uganda’s imports, while South Africa contributed 6.43%.
The shift highlights Tanzania’s growing influence in regional trade, fueled by robust policies and expanding markets, a dynamic that has placed pressure on Kenya to reassess its trade strategies.
