Thesis:

Kenya-Tanzania diplomatic relations and regional economic development in the east Africa community, 2000-2017

This study seeks to analyze the role of the Kenya-Tanzania diplomatic relations in promoting regional economic development in East Africa. The study sets out to understand the trends, nature and challenges in the diplomatic relations of the two countries. This study adopted realism theory as its theoretical framework. This theory has five propositions that are used to analyze the diplomatic relations between member states within the East African region. In this theory, countries are the main players in global issues and in the international environment. The theory emphasizes that each state in the international system shapes its actions and motives according to their interests. Moreover, anarchy is prevalent in the international arena given that each state is preoccupied with power and security issues that eventually predispose them to conflicts and competition. This then makes them fail to cooperate and finally, international institutions remain the main option in enhancing diplomatic relations. The study sought to find out how diplomacy greatly transformed the economic development in both Kenya and Tanzania. It also examines the influence that diplomatic indicators have within the region. The study further analyzed the challenges faced by the two countries in their diplomatic engagements with each other. Descriptive research design was adopted in the study. In this case, the study identified and interviewed forty (40) employees from Ministry of Foreign affairs; Thirty (30) employees from ministry of EAC, twenty (20) country representatives, fifteen (15) coordinating and sectorial committees’ members. In total the sample size for the study was 105 respondents. The research instruments used are open and closed ended questionnaires. A pilot study was done to establish the validity of the research instruments. Reliability of the research instruments was done through pretesting of questionnaires whereby the same questionnaires were administered to the same group after an interval of one week. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive techniques of data analysis. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27 was used to generate frequencies and percentages, and this was presented as tables, pie charts and bar graphs. Qualitative data was analyzed using the descriptive techniques of data analysis. In conclusion, the study reveals that while nearly half of the population perceives diplomatic relations between Kenya and Tanzania as not having strengthened significantly, there is strong evidence of successful economic collaboration, increased trade agreements, and positive impacts of political stability and joint ventures, underscoring effective cooperation. Additionally, diplomatic efforts have led to improvements in infrastructure, tourism promotion, cross-border cooperation, and policy harmonization, furthering regional economic development. However, significant challenges such as trade barriers, political tensions, bureaucratic inefficiencies, and security issues persist, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address these obstacles and enhance diplomatic relations for sustained regional growth within the EAC framework.