Discuss the reasons for the formation and the collapse of the East African Community (EAC) (1967–1977).

The question requires that candidates offer a considered and balanced review of the factors identified in the question. Candidates may offer equal coverage of the reasons for formation and collapse of the East African Community (EAC), or they may spend more time discussing one over the other. However, both aspects will be a feature of the response. Candidates may suggest that the EAC was formed to strengthen relations and promote development between Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. They may further suggest that it attempted to develop trade in the region, sought to establish parity of currencies and provide for a common school leaving examination. In terms of its collapse, candidates may allude to the feeling of the other countries that Kenya was benefitting more and that Kenya’s demand to have more power in decision making led the leaders of Uganda and Tanzania to feel that they were losing control of the organization. Other factors including the demand from Idi Amin that Tanzania stopped harbouring his enemies, and the ideological differences between socialist Tanzania and capitalist Kenya may also have contributed to its collapse.