Also known as: Dr. Karugu · Dr Caroline Karugu · Principal Secretary Caroline Karugu · Dr. Caroline Karugu
Principal Secretary for East African Community Affairs tasked with eliminating non-tariff trade barriers and aligning Kenya's tax laws with regional frameworks.
NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 11 – East African Community Affairs Principal Secretary Caroline Karugu has called on the National Assembly to expedite the amendment of national tax laws to align with community frameworks and avert an impending trade war with neighboring states. …
… o reshuffles PSs after Liban exit over fuel scandal By Ian Omondi May 28, 2026 05:05 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter New Petroleum PS Kello Harsama, his predecessor Mohamed Liban, and EAC PS Caroline Karugu …
… Principal Secretary for EAC Affairs Caroline Karugu told the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations in Nairobi that the offices now serve as the first point of call for reporting and eliminating the trade barriers. …
… Caroline Karugu and officials from the State Department of EAC Affairs in a tree planting exercise aimed at supporting the government’s ambitious target of planting 15 billion trees by 2030. …
… Principal Secretary Caroline Karugu of the State Department for East African Community met Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko at the governor's office alongside county executive officials and technical officers to advance the agenda. …
… Caroline Karugu and Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko. PHOTO| COURTESY Audio By Vocalize Principal Secretary for the East African Community (EAC) Affairs, Dr Caroline Karugu, has underscored the strategic importance of the Isebania–Sirari One-Stop Border Post (OSBP), describing it as …
NAIROBI, Kenya May 8 – The Principal Secretary, Caroline Karugu, has underscored the strategic importance of the Isebania-Sirari One-Stop Border Post (OSBP), describing it as a crucial gateway linking Kenya to regional markets within the East African Community (EAC). …
… According to Caroline Karugu, the resolution is a major breakthrough that will pave the way for seamless cross-border trade, benefiting businesses and consumers across the region. …
… State Department of East African Community (EAC) Affairs Principal Secretary Caroline Karugu said she paid a courtesy call on Andrew Mwadime to advance discussions on easing trade bottlenecks affecting the key transport route linking Kenya and Tanzania. …
East African Community Affairs Principal Secretary Caroline Karugu has urged the National Assembly to amend national tax laws to align with community frameworks, warning that provisions in the proposed Finance Bill, 2026 risk breaching regional treaties and triggering trade retaliation. The core issue is how goods moving within the EAC bloc are classified for tax purposes—Kenya's current law labels EAC goods as imports subject to higher excise duties, contradicting the EAC Customs Management Act, which classifies inter-state movement as a transfer.
Why it matters
EAC ministry warning on Kenya's tax law misalignment threatens regional trade relationships and could trigger retaliatory measures from partner states.
East African Community Affairs Principal Secretary Caroline Karugu has urged the National Assembly to amend national tax laws to align with community frameworks, warning that provisions in the proposed Finance Bill, 2026 risk breaching regional treaties and triggering trade retaliation. The core issue is how goods moving within the EAC bloc are classified for tax purposes—Kenya's current law labels EAC goods as imports subject to higher excise duties, contradicting the EAC Customs Management Act, which classifies inter-state movement as a transfer.
President Ruto has reassigned two Principal Secretaries following the resignation of Petroleum PS Mohamed Liban over alleged substandard fuel importation. Kello Harsama moves from ASALs and Regional Development to replace Liban as Petroleum PS, while Caroline Karugu, the EAC Affairs PS, takes on an acting dual role in ASALs and Regional Development.
Kenya has operationalized offices at One Stop Border Posts to serve as the frontline against non-tariff barriers constraining regional trade within the East African Community, according to Principal Secretary Caroline Karugu. Kenya is intensifying pressure on EAC partners to dismantle trade bottlenecks across key corridors, including engagement with county governments along border regions.
Principal Secretary Dr. Caroline Karugu and officials from the State Department of EAC Affairs joined residents of Meru County in a tree-planting exercise to support the government's target of planting 15 billion trees by 2030, as part of efforts to achieve 30 percent tree cover by 2032 and mitigate climate change effects.
East African Community Principal Secretary Dr Caroline Karugu called for urgent and united action to tackle deforestation and climate change across the region during a tree planting exercise at Marania Forest in Meru County, where over 450 residents participated in support of President William Ruto's target of planting 15 billion trees by 2032.
Kenya has launched talks to eliminate non-tariff barriers at the Isebania-Sirari One-Stop Border Post linking the Northern Corridor to landlocked EAC markets. The crossing channels cargo from Mombasa port to Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi and beyond, and serves local micro, small and medium enterprises relying on cross-border trade.
The Principal Secretary for East African Community Affairs says the Isebania–Sirari One-Stop Border Post is vital to regional trade and that discussions with Migori Governor focused on eliminating Non-Tariff Barriers hindering cross-border commerce in the county.
The Principal Secretary has highlighted the Isebania-Sirari One-Stop Border Post as a vital link to regional EAC markets, with discussions focused on eliminating Non-Tariff Barriers in Migori County to improve cross-border trade efficiency and reduce delays at the border.
President Ruto and Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu have directed the removal of all non-tariff barriers to trade between the two countries by the end of May 2026. The directive, issued during bilateral talks in Dar es Salaam, aims to enhance trade efficiency and reduce the cost of doing business across the region.
Kenya's State Department of EAC Affairs Principal Secretary Caroline Karugu pushed for removal of long-standing barriers along the Mombasa–Voi–Taveta corridor to strengthen regional trade under the East African Community agenda. The corridor, which links the Port of Mombasa to the Taveta–Holili border post, handles approximately 130 inbound and 90 outbound trucks daily and generates an estimated KSh 383 million annually.
Kenya's national government is working to remove trade barriers along the Mombasa–Voi–Taveta corridor to strengthen regional integration within the East African Community. The Principal Secretary for EAC Affairs met with Taita Taveta's governor to address bottlenecks affecting goods movement through the Taveta–Holili Border Post, which handles an average of 130 inbound and 90 outbound trucks daily.
PS Caroline Karugu has highlighted Kwale County's strategic importance as a gateway for regional trade linking Kenya to Tanzania through the Lungalunga One Stop Border Post, emphasizing the need to enhance corridor efficiency to facilitate smoother movement of goods and services and boost cross-border trade.
Principal Secretary Caroline Karugu held talks with Kwale County leadership to resolve barriers affecting cross-border goods movement at the Lungalunga border point. Key issues included removing county-level offloading and entry fees on transit trucks and harmonizing county legislation with the EAC Treaty to ensure free movement of goods.