ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONGO WAR ON KENYA
ECONOMIC CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONGO WAR ON KENYA Kenya is a great trading partner with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). With DRC joining the East African Community (EAC) in July 2022, the trade relations between the two countries became robust. According to Trading Economics, Kenya's export to DRC in 2023 was valued at US$188.72 million, as reported by the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. The major export earners for Kenya included iron and steel, tobacco, and milling products, which generated $25.86 million, $21.18 million, and $12.65 million respectively. However, the ongoing conflict in the DRC has disrupted these strong economic ties. The war has caused significant instability, limiting the movement of goods and services across borders. Infrastructure damage, insecurity on trade routes, and reduced purchasing power in affected regions have led to a sharp decline in trade volumes. For Kenya, this means a direct hit on revenue generated from export...