School of International Relations & Diplomacy2026-10-052026-10-052025-11-03Koech, S. K. (2025). Regional trade stratagem influencing Kenya’s diplomatic engagements within the East African Community paradigm [Master’s thesis, Riara University].https://repository.ru.ac.ke/handle/123456789/2535Many countries around the world use economic diplomacy to exert their influence. Kenya is a major economy in Africa ranking currently among the biggest economies in East Africa Community. It’s robust economy and advanced infrastructure development compared to other neighboring states has earned her the title “the Gateway to Africa.” While many studies explore Kenya’s economic growth, few interrogate its efficiency as a tool for economic diplomacy in the EAC. This necessitated an urgent inquiry into strategies on how to interrogate the influence of regional trade stratagem on Kenya's diplomatic engagements within the East African community paradigm. The specific objectives include, to analyze the effect of trade policies on Kenya’s strategic diplomatic engagements in the East African Community Paradigm, to examine the influence of economic partnerships on Kenya's strategic diplomatic engagements within the East African Community Paradigm, to identify challenges facing Kenya's diplomatic engagements within the East African Community Paradigm and to suggest strategies to enhance Kenya's diplomatic engagements within the East African Community Paradigm. The Interdependence, Neoliberal and Neo-Marxist theories guided the study. This study used exploratory research design. The target population included Kenya’s Ministry of Trade and Industrialization with Key Informants from other departments. The study used purposive, stratified and random sampling methods. Qualitative data was collected through desktop reviews and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), while questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data from the respondents. SPSS was used as the statistical tool and quantitative data analysis was done through descriptive statistic using frequency, percentage and presented in tables. Content analysis was used to analyze qualitative data and was presented in narration and verbatim format. The study found that trade policies (b=0.245, p<0.001), economic partnerships (b=0.278, p<0.001), and strategic approaches (b=0.289, p<0.001) played a significant role in promoting Kenya in the EAC, whereas the persistent challenges (b=0.236, p=0.001) like tariffs and logistical barriers acted as a limit to progress. The study concludes that Kenya has its regional influence based on good policy alignment, economic integration, and strategic partnerships. The research recommends that Kenya enhances policy harmonization with EAC protocols through strengthened implementation of trade facilitation instruments, regional value chain development, and export competitiveness frameworks and should deepen bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation by institutionalizing structured engagement with EAC partner states and diaspora economic networks. For further research, the study recommends a comparative study across EAC member states and sector-specific analysis of economic diplomacy and as well the need to explore the role of non-state actors in regional diplomacyenThesis