Fleming L Omondi

For several decades, regional economic integration has focused on fostering international economic relations. Globally, integration is a phenomenon sought after by various regional bodies in a bid to bolster their economies. Due to the many opportunities presented by various forms of integration, States have looked at it as a chance of improving intra-trade and extra-trade with other nations and within the trading blocs.
In the very least, this paper analyses the stages of integration according to the Vinerian model. In particular, it delves into the comparison and distinctions between a Free Trade Area (FTA)  and a Customs Union (CU) as brought forth by Vinerian model. Other theories that build on the Viner’s model of integration are also looked at for comparison purposes.  Also, other regional bodies that have attained these levels of integration are used as examples.

The promulgation of the constitution of Kenya on 27th August, 2010 was a major milestone towards the improvement of health standards. Citizen’s high expectations are grounded on the fact that the new Constitution states that every citizen has right to life, right to the highest attainable standard of health including reproductive health and emergency treatment, right to be free from hunger and to have food of acceptable quality, right to clean, safe and adequate water and reasonable standards of sanitation and the right to a clean healthy environment. The Health Sector, therefore, needs to consolidate gains made in respect to provision of service delivery; leverage existing decentralized structures in health; and re-position itself to fulfil these expectations. The two levels of government are under obligation to ensure that the right measures are put in place for successful implementation of Constitution. This paper therefore looks at the emerging issues and their implications in the Kenya's health sector that continues to experience different challenges

Public finance is important to the relations between citizens and the Government. The World Bank states that, participation is a process in which stakeholders influence and share over development initiatives and the decisions on the resources, which affects them. Worldwide, an increasing number of Governments and international organizations are putting in place mechanisms to promote public disclosure of budget and other financial information. In this case, fiscal transparency is seen as an important precondition for effective governance, improved economic performance and prudent fiscal policy. In addition to generating economic benefits, fiscal transparency also functions as a political expression of democratic governance by giving citizens and taxpayers the information they are entitled to, for purposes of holding Governments accountable.
In Kenya there has been low public participation in Public finance management in the past leading to inefficiencies and misallocation of resources. However, the Constitution of Kenya  and the Public Finance Management Act  provide avenues through which citizens can effectively influence policies on public finance. This paper examines public participation in public finance management in Kenya as enshrined in the Constitution. The paper outlines important opportunities for citizens to capitalize on to effectively participate in public finance management in Kenya.

It is now widely acknowledged that informal justice plays a significant role in the maintenance of order and resolution of disputes particularly in post-colonial countries such as Kenya.  This paper looks at the means and ways of promoting court and alternative means of dispute resolution to enhance access to justice

This paper speaks about the role of Women representatives toward strengthening governance. Kenya for the first time in its history  has acknowledged that women have specific issues that can only be articulated by a fellow woman who understand their intrigues well. However, there is more to the position of a Woman representative than just representing the women folk in the parliament.

This paper looks at the existing Legal frameworks and existing Institutional frameworks in Kenya. It proposes ways through which such legal and institutional frameworks can be improved to ensure that the copyright owners derive maximum benefits from their works.

Innovation and creativity are sure drivers for financial growth. Research points that growth is closely interrelated with the capacity to generate innovation and commercialize innovative products. Intellectual property rights play an important part in the realization, development and progress of innovative capacity. This is particularly vital to the emerging economies, like Kenya’s. Intellectual properties are becoming strategic elements for value creation by undertakings. They are increasingly becoming significant in attracting investment and encouraging the growth of innovative sectors in the economy hence the need for legal frameworks to govern it.

In Kenya, the applicable intellectual property laws are found in statutes, the English common law and international treaties. Since early 1960s, many African states have enacted or reformed Intellectual property legislations with increasing swiftness, Kenya inclusive. This chapter receives a comprehensive impetus on legal frameworks on intellectual property in Kenya. These legal frameworks have been designed to protect property rights, innovations and reward innovative activity . The laws comprise a bundle of rights focusing on the physical manifestations of intellectual activity in any field of human endeavor. The highlights of the legal frameworks focuses on the expression of an idea for an invention, the details of which have been worked out and which takes the form of a product or process that can be applied industrially.