{
  "id": 19765070,
  "title": "Kenya, Tanzania MPs push for joint action to ease border delays, boost revenue",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/13/kenya-tanzania-mps-push-for-joint-action-to-ease-border-delays-boost",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-13T05:30:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/business/kenya-tanzania-mps-push-for-joint-action-to-ease-border-delays-boost-revenue"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kenyan and Tanzanian lawmakers have called for joined efforts to tackle border delays, align tax administration, and enhance revenue collection as worries mount over sluggish East African Community (EAC) integration. The legislators desire the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to synchronize border clearance procedures and hasten the rollout of One-Stop Border Posts to streamline the flow of goods and services between the neighboring nations. They emphasized that prolonged clearance periods for trucks at border crossings continue to hinder regional trade despite the existence of agreements intended to simplify cross-border activities. The suggestions surfaced during a bilateral benchmarking session at Parliament Buildings on November 12, 2026, where Kenya's Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning welcomed a Tanzanian delegation for talks on budgetary and financial oversight. The legislators also raised concerns about accountability concerning dividends and immunities linked to the East African Development Bank (EADB), vowing to contemplate recommending legislative changes if the prevailing issues persist. Tanzanian Budget Committee Chairperson Mashimba Mashauri highlighted the visit aimed at acquainting lawmakers with Kenya's revenue collection methods, public expenditure scrutiny, and public engagement in budget-making. She noted Tanzania's keen interest in learning about Kenya's approach to government spending oversight, adherence to parliamentary resolutions, and citizen participation in financial decision-making. Tanzanian officials operate a unified Budget Committee, unlike Kenya, which features distinct Budget, Appropriations, and Finance and National Planning committees with separate responsibilities. Kitui Rural MP David Mboni introduced the constitutional and legislative frameworks governing the mandate of Kenya's Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning. He referred to Standing Order No. 216 and Articles 95, 118, and 124 of the Constitution, which establish the foundation for parliamentary oversight of the National Treasury, State Department for Economic Planning, and key financial entities, including KRA, the Central Bank of Kenya, and the Capital Markets Authority. Mboni explained that all tax-related Bills, including the annual Finance Bill, are directed to the committee, with public input required before legislation is submitted to Parliament. He also highlighted Kenya's utilization of technology to boost tax compliance and expand the revenue base, mentioning the Electronic Tax Invoice Management System (eTIMS) and efforts to regulate virtual asset service providers. In addition to domestic revenue collection, the lawmakers expressed apprehension over the slow progress in implementing regional integration objectives, particularly the length of time required for trucks to clear at border checkpoints. They argued that harmonizing tax procedures and enhancing the efficiency of One-Stop Border Posts would reduce trade barriers, cut business expenses, and bolster economic collaboration between the two countries. The MPs pledged to maintain bilateral interactions and organize a policy workshop centered on infrastructure financing, tax harmonization, and broader regional economic matters. These deliberations unfold as East African nations strive to fortify regional trade and improve the movement of goods and services under the EAC integration framework.",
  "summary": "Lawmakers from Kenya and Tanzania have called for joint action to address delays at border points, harmonise tax administration and improve revenue collection as concerns grow over the slow pace of East African Community (EAC) integration. The MPs want the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to harmonise border clearance operations and […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}