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Informal Cross Border Trade (ICBT) by women has become a critical and challenging
sector for states globally with the Sub-Saharan Africa region affected the most. In the
East African Community (EAC) estimates suggest that more than 60 % of intra-trade
activities are informal with women accounting for more than 70% yet information gaps
remain in the political economy of this trade. This research examined the political
economy of ICBT in the EAC; a case of women traders in the Busia and Isebania
borders in Kenya. The specific objectives were: to examine the nature and magnitude
of Informal Cross-Border Women Traders (ICBWT); to establish the politico-economic
drivers of women in ICBT; to assess the socio-economic and political impact of
ICBWT; and to establish challenges and potential management opportunities.
Neoliberalism, Vulnerability, and Rational Choice theories were used in this study for
complementarity. The study adopted mixed methods research, a pragmatism
philosophical paradigm, and a cross-sectional design. The study sites were Isebania and
Busia Borders in Kenya where a total of 128 respondents were interviewed. Given the
hidden and sensitive nature of ICBT, it was difficult to reach the target population
making snowball sampling the most appropriate in recruiting ICBWTs respondents
through referrals from which 103 were interviewed, 55 in Busia and 48 in Isebania
Borders respectively. A total of 25 key informants interviewed including Security,
Customs, Cross-Border Traders, County government, and Civil Society Organization
(CSO) officials were sampled purposively from a target population of 45 in the two
borders based on their knowledge of ICBT. Primary data were collected using direct
observation, face-to-face administered questionnaires, and in-depth interviews.
Quantitative data were analyzed statistically with the aid of the Statistical Packages for
Social Sciences (SPSS) version 26, which enabled the creation of tables and charts to
explain the findings. Qualitative data was analyzed thematically corroborating with
secondary data to yield meaningful results. The study found that; On the nature of
ICBWT, 52% of goods were primarily non-processed agricultural products, 4%
processed agricultural, 20% marine products, and 24% processed goods. The drivers of
ICBWTs were social, economic, and political in nature. On the impact; 21% indicated
employment, 20% a source of revenue, 12% improved income,10% peaceful
coexistence,12% entrenched regional integration, 11% food security, 3% insecurity, 5%
family breakdown, and 6% loss of revenue. The challenges noted were; inadequate
capital, harassment by border officials, corruption, insecurity, high transportation cost,
sexual and gender-based violence, and confiscation of goods. Existing opportunities
included; the Customs Union and Common Market protocol, Simplified Trade Regime,
One Border Stop Post, and the presence of CSOs. The study concluded that the ICBT
impacts on the political economy of EAC particularly in Busia and Isebania borders in
terms of employment creation, increased income, food security, loss of revenue, and
inflow of cheap goods. The study recommended: a need for the government to create
awareness and appreciation of the impacts of ICBWTs at the policy level; develop a
database of ICBWT to gauge their contribution to the economy, and reduce bureaucratic
processes in the EAC borders |
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