Arusha, Tanzania — May 5th, 2026 — A Delegation of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) consisting of representatives from the office of the Deputy President, office of the Attorney General, the Council of Governors, and the Kenya Law Reforms from the Republic Kenya is at the East African Community Headquarters in Arusha for a study tour, aimed at deepening the Committee's understanding of Intergovernmental relations at the regional level and fostering closer collaboration between national and regional institution.
The study tour commenced yesterday with a courtesy call on the EAC Secretary General H.E. Amb. Stephen Patrick Bundi, followed by a comprehensive briefing on the Committee's mandate and activities, presented by the IGRTC delegation. Participants received an in-depth presentation from the EAC Planning Directorate on the 7th EAC Development Strategy covering the period 2026/27 to 2030/31, which outlines the Community's strategic priorities for the next five years. Officials from the Office of the Council to the Community further led discussions on the functions of the EAC Secretariat, including the coordination and harmonisation of policies and strategies relating to the development of the East African Community, the preparation of draft agendas for the Council of Ministers and the Summit of EAC Heads of State, and the tracking of implementation of decisions and directives emanating from the Summit and the Council.
Today, the team engaged with the East African Legislative Assembly. The programme commenced with a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. Joseph Ntakirutimana, Speaker of EALA, followed by a working meeting with the Clerk and the technical team. Mr. John Mutega, the Deputy Clerk of the East African Legislative Assembly took the team through a presentation on the workings of the Assembly with discussions focusing on the functions of the Assembly in the integration process and the relations of EALA with national Assemblies of the Partner States, providing the IGRTC team with valuable comparative insights into how regional legislative processes interface with national governance structures.
The delegation will engage with the East African Court of Justice tomorrow, where they will pay a courtesy call on the Judge President, followed by a working session with the Acting Registrar and the technical team. The discussions will focus on the Court's functions, the EAC Dispute Resolution Mechanisms, and comparative deliberations on intergovernmental dispute processing, resolution, and closure. This session will be of particular relevance to the IGRTC's domestic mandate, which includes facilitating the resolution of intergovernmental disputes between the national and county governments in Kenya.
This study tour represents a significant milestone in the IGRTC's efforts to strengthen its institutional capacity by drawing lessons from regional intergovernmental frameworks. The EAC, as the premier regional economic, offers a rich comparative context for Kenya's devolution and intergovernmental relations architecture.
The insights gained from the EALA's legislative practices, the EACJ's dispute resolution mechanisms, and the Secretariat's coordination functions are expected to inform the IGRTC's work in facilitating consultation, cooperation, and coordination between the national and county governments in Kenya. The delegation was led by Members of the IGRTC, including the Chief Executive Officer Dr. K. S. Chepkuony and Commissioner Mr. John Burugu.
The study tour will conclude with a day of sightseeing and informal networking in Arusha, providing an opportunity for reflection, team building, and the consolidation of relationships formed during the week's engagements.
About IGRTC
The Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) is a State Agency established by the Intergovernmental Relations Act, 2012, responsible for consultation, cooperation, and coordination in matters of devolution and intergovernmental relations in Kenya.
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Nicodemus Ajak Bior
Senior Public Relations Officer (SPRO)
East Africa Legislative Assembly
Arusha, Tanzania
Tel: +255-768-885-633/, +254729157207(WhatsApp)
Email: nbior@eachq.org
Web: www.eala.org
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