Realizing Social Justice in Kenya Through the Implementation of the Special Economic Zones Act of Kenya

Abstract

This study is inspired by the realization that although the Special Economic Zones Act has provided criteria for the designation of Special Economic Zones and with emphasis on the need for SEZs to have proximity to resources, population centers and infrastructure and as well the licensing of SEZs, the same practice is skewed and contrary to the provisions of the Act. This study is, therefore important since it gives insight on how the implementation of the Special Economic Zones (SEZ) program through the SEZ Act and lessons drawn from Malaysia and South Africa’s SEZs will enable the realization of social justice in the economy. This research is a gap filler in the area of social justice and its implementation in Kenya as it draws on lessons and best practices of how SEZs from other countries have been implemented effectively to enable sustainable social justice. Kenya rolled out the Special Economic Zones Act in the year 2015 after realizing that its economy was lagging in terms of development owing to unemployment, corruption, unequal distribution of resources and poverty. Thus, the SEZ program was initiated to remedy the ills of the previous export processing regime and foster development in the economy. Globally with the new phase of law and development, nations are called upon to consider social justice as an end result for sustainable development. This study is premised on the hypothesis that the current implementation of the Special Economic Zones program is subjected to political interference. This study will move in support of the effective implementation of SEZs in Kenya.