Cross-Border Partnerships and Customs Procedures in Tackling Counterfeit Trade at the Namanga Customs Border Station in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of cross-border partnerships and customs procedures in tackling counterfeit trade in the Namanga customs border station. This study adopted an explanatory research design, with a target population of 173 officials working at the Namanga customs border station in Kenya and Tanzania. A sample of 121 respondents was selected based on the Yamane formula. The data collection instrument for this study was a questionnaire. In order to assess the validity of the questionnaire in this study, the expert’s judgment method was adopted. Data analysis in this study included the use of descriptive and inferential analysis. Regression of coefficients showed that EAC integration had a positive and significant effect on tackling counterfeit trade in Namanga customs border station (β=0.441, p=0.000). Further results showed that the Multisectoral partnership had a positive and significant effect on tackling counterfeit trade in the Namanga customs border station (β=0.190, p=0.006). According to the results, all the models had a p-value of 0.000, which was less than 0.05. This means that all the models were significant in explaining the moderating effect of customs procedures on the relationship between cross-border partnerships and tackling counterfeit trade in Namanga customs border station. The study concluded that there was a statistically significant relationship between EAC community regulation and tackling counterfeit trade in the Namanga customs border station. However, though the East African Community (EAC) aims to foster teamwork and cooperation among its member states, this goal has not been fully implemented.  The study also concluded that there was a statistically significant relationship between multisectoral partnerships and tackling counterfeit trade at the Namanga customs border station. The study also concludes that customs procedures moderate the relationship between EAC community integration, public-private partnership, and tackling counterfeit trade in Namanga customs border station.  The EAC should seek to create a unified economic space through initiatives like the Customs Union, Common Market, and a planned Monetary Union. The government should work with other countries by entering into bilateral trade agreements like EAC to ensure that they come up with new laws of intellectual property and counterfeit enforcement, and deterrence. Such agreements will ensure constructive dialogue on intellectual property rights within the international community to ensure equitable benefits for global and social growth.