The East African Customs Agents and Freight Forwarders Management Model Bill 2017 is set to be implemented in all the 6 East African Communities (EAC)
However, Customs agents in Kenya have already commenced practicing a regional Bill aimed at self-regulating a sector which has been in operations without legal backup for ages.
According to Roy Mwanthi, the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association chairman, the legalization awaits Kenya’s relevant Authorities to take the subject to the parliament.
“The final draft is awaiting the input of government departments including the Kenya Revenue Authority, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Kenya Ports Authority before we submit it to the National Assembly House committee,” said Mwanthi.
As reported by one of the local daily, TheEastAfrica, once the Bill becomes law, the association will be transformed into a society to be governed by a National Council elected by freight and Customs agents bodies.
It will set professional standards for the sector, provide certification and registration as well as a code of conduct including how to solve disputes among members.
The initiative was seconded by the Federation of East African Freight Forwarders Associations programme manager Elias Buluku who hailed the move by the communities saying that it will transform the sector as far as logistics are concerned
