Regional integration yes or no?

Over the next few months academics, church leaders and civil society representatives are to be consulted over plans to create a regional political federation with neighbouring Tanzania and Uganda. The governments of Tanzania and Uganda are also expected to conduct similar consultations as part of a process that is intended to be people driven, according to East African regional cooperation minister, John Koech. Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda already make up the East African Community, a regional trade bloc established in 2001. Under the proposed East African Community Political Federation, they would effectively become a single country with a central government and one president, possibly by 2013. However, many people have already voiced concern about the plans especially with regard to the economic disparities between the three countries. In any event, inhabitants of the three countries will have the final say on the matter through a referendum. No indication has been given of when this might be held.