President Mwai Kibaki today opened the third meeting of the fourth session of the second East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) in Parliament buildings, Nairobi. In his speech, President Kibaki reiterated the importance of finalizing the annexure to the Common Market Protocol in efforts towards enabling the citizens of the East African Community to benefit from the Common Market. He urged the EALA to be at the forefront in monitoring the implementation of the Common Market Protocol, which became operational on 1 July 2010.
The President further called on the Partner States to rid the region of Non-Tariff Barriers (NTBs) - including smoothening of clearing procedures and removal of unnecessary roadblocks. The President stated that NTBs which increased the costs of doing business and discouraged investors, were an impediment to the integration process. The President commended the private sector for investing in the region. He called on the region to improve on its infrastructure, especially the rails, which he noted were incapacitated.
The Head of State commended EALA for its role in deepening and widening the integration process.
“The pace of integration has gained momentum and I commend EALA for the oversight and legislative achievements,” President Kibaki said, adding, that it was imperative for the regional legislators to visit all corners of the country to familiarize themselves with the citizens of Kenya.
President Kibaki further reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the integration process. On Southern Sudan, President Kibaki congratulated the National Congress Party, the Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement (SPLM) and the people of Southern Sudan for a peaceful referendum process, noting it had positive implications for the region.
In his welcome remarks, the Speaker of EALA, Hon. Abdirahin Abdi, hailed the milestones realized by the Community to date.
“On our part, we are proud of the tremendous progress the Community is making in the integration efforts. With constant and foresighted guidance from the Summit, the Community is on course in attaining the four main pillars of integration it set out to achieve,” Hon Abdi said.
He noted the EALA had managed to enact six legislations since it last met in Nairobi in May 2010. Over the next two weeks, four Bills are expected to be debated by EALA. They include: the EAC Elections Bill – 2nd and 3rd Reading, the EAC Service Commissions Bill 2nd and 3rd Reading, Lake Victoria Basin Commission Bill – 2nd Reading and the IUCEA Bill – 2nd Reading. EALA shall during the sittings also debate various motions and reports.
-END-
NOTE TO EDITORS
ABOUT EALA
The East African Legislative Assembly is the legislative organ of the East African Community. Its Membership consists of a total of 52, of whom 45 are elected Members (9 from each Partner State) and seven ex-officio members (the Ministers responsible for EAC Affairs from the Partner States, the Secretary General of the Community and the Counsel to the Community).
The East African Legislative Assembly has legislative functions as well as oversight of all East African Community matters. The enactment of legislation of the Community is effected by means of Bills passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Heads of State, and every Bill that has been duly passed and assented to become an Act of the Community and takes precedent over similar legislations in the Partner States.
EALA in June 2010 launched its Strategic Plan and Website at its 5th Meeting of the third Session held in Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya respectively. The Strategic Plan is expected to go a long way to firmly entrench the EALA as the epitome of the Community’s democracy and unity. The EALA website www.eala.org provides the Assembly with the means to communicate actively with the citizens of East Africa and beyond and enhances public understanding of the legislature’s role and responsibilities.
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
