The History of Informal Trade: Cross-border Smuggling Between Kenya and Uganda at Busia, 1963-2004

The History of Informal Trade: Cross-border Smuggling Between Kenya and Uganda at Busia, 1963-2004

This book examines the causes of the Informal Cross Border Trade (ICBT) between Kenya and Uganda at Busia border which it captures in three phases: the early phase (1963-1970), the transformation period (1971- 1984) and the trade's development during the liberalization moments (1985-2004). The book describes the smuggling of goods such as coffee, maize, garments and petrol, among other products, across the two Busia border towns. It further describes the elaborate social networks the traders use to access markets and evade the vigilance of the customs officials. The book finally analyzes the impact of the ICBT on the traders in terms of individual empowerment, investment strategies on local industries, food security, and inter-state relationship between Kenya and Uganda during the period 1963 to 2004.