Even the regional leaders are cautious about talk of a political union, having just tasked a group of experts to come up with a study on the issue.
And it's because fears and a certain amount of mistrust still linger among East Africans on this political dream. It's generally agreed, therefore, that the political aspect should not be rushed.
There is a heavy dose of nationalism, which will only be thawed as the fruits of the common market begin to be savoured. In other words, many ordinary East Africans and even their leaders still can't see themselves abandoning their national identities for the regional entity; just yet.
It could just be a classic case of the fear of the unknown. But there are sufficient pointers that Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi are already benefiting from having forged closer ties and working together for their common good.
A good example is the Customs Union, which has helped Tanzania and Uganda to build their internal capacities to compete with Kenya. It is proof that regional integration can be useful to all the partners.
However, it's important that the region treads carefully on the political federation idea, examining all the challenges and seeking an arrangement that will enhance what has so far been achieved in the past 10 years of the revival of the East African Community.
Loss of sovereignty is one issue even ordinary East Africans have nightmares about, though they support the implementation of the regional economic bloc.
All said, there is absolutely no need to try and fast track a political union and get bogged down in a quagmire of acrimony, deep mistrust and animosity between countries that are so far working on a useful economic agenda.