A closer union among East African countries dates far back in the First World War favoured by colonial secretaries and governors for economic development. Common services for Kenya and Uganda in railway, customs, post and telegraph had been started in 1890's.

In 1918 these services were extended and in the 1920's and 1930's Kenyan European settlers strongly advocated for a political union. The successful coordination between Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya led to the formation of the East African High Commission (EAHC) comprising of governors from the three colonies but it was not a federation. In 1960 the Raisman commission and report replaced the High commission with the East African Commission Service (EACS) comprising of three elected leaders from each state but still this was not a federation.