…Kenya committed to the regional integration process says Hon Sambili
The East African Legislative Assembly today held an interactive meeting with Members of the Kenyan National Assembly in Nairobi. The meeting was opened by the Minister for East African Community, Hon Hellen Sambili. In her remarks, Hon Sambili affirmed Kenya’s commitment to the regional integration process and noted the Ministry would continue to facilitate, oversee and co-ordinate the planning and direction of national policies to create conditions favourable to the development and achievement of the objectives of the EAC. Hon Sambili hailed the role played by EALA in the integration process, noting its legislative and oversight role was fundamental.
In his keynote address, Hon Farah Maalim, MP, Deputy Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, noted the need for EALA and National Assemblies to engage more closely in shaping the destiny of the more than 120 million citizens of the region.
”Establishment of the East African Community is very clear on the relationship between EALA and the National Assemblies. A lot is yet to be done. It is our cardinal responsibility alongside non-state actors to ensure that the social, economic and cultural needs of the East African citizens are met in order for them to enjoy the benefits of the integration process. Today, we have the opportunity to advance the issues to another higher level”, Hon Maalim noted.
Hon Maalim stated that plans were underway to have in place a mechanism for structured, regular and focused interactions between the Kenyan Parliament, EALA –Kenya Chapter and the Ministry of EAC, a move he noted, was part of the resolutions of the Speakers’ Roundtable. “There is need for strengthening such relationships between EALA country chapters and national assemblies not only to strengthen the EAC legislative process, but also enhance EAC visibility, publicity and the legitimacy of its decision making process’ the Deputy Speaker said.
In attendance were the Rt. Hon Speaker of EALA, Hon Abdirahin H. Abdi, the EAC Secretary General, Amb.Juma Mwapachu, the Kenya’s Assistant Minister for EAC, Hon Peter Munya, honorable members of EALA and the honorable members of the Kenya National Assembly.Representatives of the business community including officials of the East African Business Council (EABC) and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) were also in attendance.
The Speaker of EALA, Rt. Hon Abdirahin Abdi, implored the members of the Kenya National Assembly to utilize provisions of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC related to parliaments, in order to forge stronger bonds with EALA. Article 8 (5), Article 49 (2) a, and Article 65 are some of the provisions enumerated by Hon Abdi as relevant to forge the said linkages.
”On our part EALA shall continue to pursue collaboration through holding of inter parliamentary seminars (Nanyuki series) for EALA Members to brief their counterparts in the National Assemblies on pertinent issues before the Assembly and the EAC in general”, the EALA Speaker noted.
Presentations made at the half-day meeting included an overview of the latest developments in the EAC by Amb Juma Mwapachu, an overview on the work of EALA by Hon Dora Byamukama, EALA MP and another on the work of East African Court of Justice (EACJ), delivered by the Registrar of the EACJ, Dr. John Ruhangisa.Mr. Gerald Muli, a Director at the EABC delivered a paper on the Common Market and Trade Facilitation as well as the challenges facing the business community.
The EAC Secretary General, Amb Juma Mwapachu presented an account of EAC’s progress at a time when the region is making great headway and realizing achievements. He noted that the Customs Union had seen a phenomenal rise in intra-EAC trade of as much as 50%. He noted however that Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) continued to be a problem and that EAC was committed to the agreed elimination of NTBs to spur business in the region. On the Common Market, the Secretary General stated the realization of the Common Market Protocol was crucially hinged on resolute political will and clear and focused acceptance of the objectives of the Partner States. The presentation further delved into the spheres of social and economic aspects of regional integration.
The EALA presentation as made by Hon Dora Byamukama, narrated the mandate and role of the regional assembly as well as its achievements to date. Since its establishment in 2001, the Assembly has passed over 20 pieces of legislation, a number of which are fundamental to the integration process.
Dr Ruhangisa’s paper highlighted the role of the Court in the integration process as the judicial body ensuring the adherence to the law in the interpretation and application of and compliance with the EAC Treaty.
During the plenary session, speaker after speaker talked of the lack of adequate sensitization at all levels, as a major impediment facing the region.
Kenya’s Assistant Minster for the EAC, Hon Peter G. Munya called for enhanced sensitization programmes by EALA and the EAC across board. He said the Ministry had allocated money to support the resumption of study tours in the country by EALA parliamentarians.
For more information contact:
Bobi Odiko
Senior Public Relations Officer
East African Legislative Assembly
Tel: +255-27-2508240
Fax: +255-27-2503103
Cell: +255-787-870945
+254-733-718036
Email: BOdiko@eachq.org
Web: https://www.eala.org
