Kenya has officially requested that Tanzania retract its recently implemented excise duties, industrial development levy, and laws restricting foreign businesses, including those owned by Kenyans, labeling these measures as 'discriminatory.'

• Trade Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui issued a strong statement on Wednesday, asserting that Tanzania's new regulations will harm both nations' economies and undermine the East African Community (EAC) protocol.
• The new measures include an excise duty and industrial development levy of 10 and 15 percent respectively, introduced by the Tanzania Finance Act 2025 and the amended Tanzania Excise (Management and Tariff) Act 2019.
• Additionally, Tanzania has banned foreigners from engaging in 15 small- and medium-sized businesses, prompting calls for retaliation from Kenyan leaders like Nandi Senator Samso Cherargei.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has urged the Kenyan government to ban Tanzanian businesses and deport street beggars from Tanzania in retaliation for Tanzania's decision to restrict Kenyan businesses.

• The call for action was made on Wednesday, July 30 by Senator Samson Cherargei.
• The senator specifically mentioned removing street beggars from Kenyan cities and towns.
• Cherargei criticized Tanzania's ban, stating it could harm the East African Community (EAC) integration process and trade agreements.

President William Ruto and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni signed eight new bilateral agreements in Nairobi, bringing their total trade and cooperation deals to 25. This occurred a day after Tanzania imposed a ban on certain Kenyan businesses, underscoring efforts to strengthen regional ties.

• Among the new agreements is a partnership between the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and the Uganda National Bureau of Statistics (UNBS) to promote legitimate trade and curb illicit activities.
• The leaders addressed the longstanding Migingo Island dispute under a new agreement on Fisheries and Aquaculture.
• Improvements in transport and development were agreed upon, including the Nairobi-Nakuru-Malaba Highway dualling project and the acceleration of the Busia Metro Project (2025–2028), aiming to boost trade and connectivity to the Port of Mombasa.
• Other agreements cover tourism, property rights, mining, agriculture, and animal technology. President Ruto also announced a special committee and a cultural envoy for the Atekeri people, spanning Kenya, Uganda, and South Sudan.