The East African Business Council (EABC) has threatened to sue Kenya at the East African Court of Justice as the wrangles between Kenya and Uganda widen after the dairy milk ban.
Speaking to the press, EABC Chief Executive Officer John Bosco Kalisa on Saturday, June 17, argued that Kenya had breached the East African Community Common Market protocol.
He gave two options to resolve the issue; one being through bilateral talks between Presidents William Ruto and Uganda's Yoweri Museveni or have the matter escalated to court.
"We can use the bilateral engagements but if it fails, we can take it to the East African Court of Justice. They have the capacity and competency to serve such issues," Kalisa stated.
According to the CEO, the goods should be traded freely between the two countries with no need for permits in order to boost the economy.
The Kenya Dairy Board in March 2023 temporarily suspended the importation of milk powder from Uganda.
"In anticipation of the long rains, the government has stopped the importation of milk powder to cushion the industry from surplus production and low producer prices," the board announced.
Additionally, Kenya limited the number of permits issued to Uganda to supply milk into the country.
The move will see Uganda incur losses because it produces about 3.2 billion litres of milk per year. Officials urged the two Heads of State to resolve the matter for the benefit of the two countries.
However, despite the ban, Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang'wa on Thursday, June 15, complained that foreign produce had flooded the market, edging out Kenyan farmers.
While appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialisation, and Tourism, Thang'wa called upon the committee to set up measures that will see farmers guaranteed a minimum price on milk sales.
Before Kenya implemented the ban, Uganda supplied about 700 million litres of milk to Kenya annually.
