Trucks at the Malaba border post crossing into Uganda and Kenya. [Photo/ smartnewskenya.com]
The US has commended the government of Kenya, Uganda and border agencies for facilitating trade between the two countries.Speaking after touring the Busia Kenya and Uganda One Stop Border Posts, US Ambassador to Kenya Robert Godec said the move has helped reduce time for clearing trucks crossing the border by 80 percent.“This has made it easy for small traders and people living in these communities to visit one another on either side of the border and engage in trade and investment,” Godec said.Flanked by Busia Deputy Governor Kizito Wangalwa, Godec said the US government was pleased to facilitate cross-border trade by contributing Sh3.5 billion as part of the funds that went towards the construction of the One Stop Border Posts in Busia and Malaba.He said he met local traders who were happy with the efforts to enhance trade at the border, adding that the US will find additional ways of assisting them in future.Wangalwa thanked the US for helping revamp trade at the border.Wangalwa said the county government of Busia was working on a program supported by the US through Agricultural Market Development Trust to help develop the capacity of different traders especially those dealing in food commodities.“This will enable them strengthen the association and to know the rules of trade so that it is easy to move food from one country to the other,” he said.“This essentially is part of the East African Community spirit that aims at ensuring the livelihood of our people is not threatened during drought.”