Transporters and vehicle owners working across the East African region are threatening to launch mass protests over Tanzania’s recent decision to bar foreign nationals from holding key job positions within its borders.
This ban, which has directly impacted many Kenyans, is being criticized as a threat to livelihoods and a setback to regional cooperation.
In a strongly worded statement, the transporters—especially those in the tourism and cross-border travel sectors—called on the East African Community (EAC) and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to step in and take decisive action.
They argued that Tanzania’s decision goes against the spirit and commitments of the EAC, which promotes the free movement of people, goods, and services among member states.
“Tourism transporters do more than just drive. They represent the rich cultural diversity of the region and act as unofficial ambassadors of East Africa,” the statement said.
“By restricting Kenyans from working in Tanzania, the country is harming not just individuals and families, but also the broader vision of African unity and integration.”
The transporters emphasized that cross-border tour guides and drivers play an essential role in facilitating regional tourism, which is a major contributor to economic growth across East Africa.
They stressed that such roles require smooth coordination between countries—something Tanzania’s new policy seriously disrupts.
The statement went further to accuse Tanzania of violating the EAC Treaty, the Common Market Protocol, and key principles of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
These frameworks are designed to support and protect the free movement of workers, services, and trade between member nations.
Among the top demands from the transporters is the immediate reversal of Tanzania’s ban on Kenyan workers. They also urged both the Kenyan and Tanzanian governments to engage in meaningful diplomatic dialogue to resolve the issue in a fair and balanced manner.
Additionally, the group called for a legal review of the Tanzanian directive to determine whether it is in violation of regional and international agreements.
They demanded that the EAC Secretariat and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) hold Tanzania accountable for any breach of such agreements and ensure that no member country acts unilaterally to the detriment of others.
“If necessary, we want legal action taken to challenge this unfair decision. This kind of discrimination cannot be allowed to continue under a united East African banner,” the statement added.
Transporters warned that if their concerns are not addressed, they will organize peaceful protests and may consider taking reciprocal economic measures against Tanzanian-owned businesses operating in Kenya.
This uproar follows an official order dated July 28, signed by Tanzania’s Minister for Industry and Trade, Selemani Saidi Jafo. The directive bans non-Tanzanian citizens from engaging in 15 specific business activities.
The list includes operating small retail shops, running kiosks, repairing mobile phones, operating gaming machines, managing micro and small-scale industries, and conducting small-scale mining, among others.
The ban has sparked a wave of discontent among Kenyan workers and business owners, raising questions about the future of regional integration and the true commitment of EAC members to shared prosperity.
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