Abstract

MAJUNE, Socrates Kraido  and  MWANIA, Davis Kimuli. ON THE ECONOMIC THOUGHT OF TRADE PRACTICES AND POLICIES IN KENYA. Estud. econ. [online]. 2021, vol.38, n.77, pp.187-205. ISSN 2525-1295.

This study explains trade regimes in Kenya from a History of Economic Thought (HET) perspective using secondary materials (books, papers, and original manuscripts). We found that the pre-colonial era (before 1895) had a mixture of Classical doctrines and Mercantilism, whereby long-distance and barter trade between communities were practiced. Nonetheless, certain communities restricted trade. Classical economic thought was practiced in the colonial period (1895-1962), whereby agricultural produce was exported and less expensive consumables were imported. The post-colonial period started with a Mercantilism approach (Import-substitution), but successive regimes have promoted Classical doctrines of trade by reducing import and export barriers and creating trade-promotion institutions. Trade in services, which is topical in international trade, has also been promoted in this regime.

JEL Codes: B10, B17, B20, B27.

Keywords : history of economic thought; trade reforms; Kenya.

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