East African Community (EAC), ASALs, and Regional Development, Cabinet Secretary (CS), Beatrice Moe, has hailed the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) as a crucial organ promoting regional cooperation and development within member states.
Moe said EALA has been instrumental in advancing collaborative initiatives that drive economic growth and integration among member states, bolstering its position as a key cog within the East African Community (EAC) cooperation framework.
Speaking in Nairobi during a hand over ceremony of office to Kenya’s nine East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) members, Moe urged the Kenya Chapter, EALA members to actively support the implementation of existing policies and programmes, that safeguard Kenya’s national interests, while at the same time, advocating for greater socio-economic and political integration within the EAC.
“Kenya Kwanza administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Agenda aims at addressing economic challenges facing the country and has assigned a pillar touching on MSMEs, with foreign policy and regional integration being important enablers,” Moe said.
The East African Legislative Assembly is an organ of the East African Community, established under Article 9 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the East African Community. It plays a crucial role in promoting regional cooperation and development among member states.
CS Moe underscored the crucial role the EALA MPs play in advancing both local and regional economic initiatives, acknowledging their support towards achieving the Kenya Kwanza agenda.
The MPs, she noted, act as important agents of the Kenya Kwanza Bottom-Up Economic Agenda, which pegs the Medium, Small, and Micro Enterprises (MSMEs) with foreign policy and regional integration as important enablers in addressing economic challenges facing the country.
“It therefore calls for implementing existing policies and programmes with the support of the EALA (Kenya Chapter) members safeguarding Kenya’s national interests in the region,” she said.
The new offices for the regional MPs and their staff, are located at the Hazina Trade Centre in Nairobi’s Central Business District with ample parking space.
She congratulated the EALA (Kenya) Chapter members for their significant contributions to the development and finalisation of various bills presented to the Assembly, which benefit both Kenya and the entire East African Community (EAC).
These include the East African Community Competition (Amendment) Bill, 2022; the East African Appropriation Bill, 2022; the East African Community Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2022; and the East African Community Supplementary Budget (No. 2) Bill, 2022.
Moe cited other important areas, including the oversight of the performance and functioning of the Regional Police Centres of Excellence and the cooperation among security agencies to effectively address cross-border crime within the EAC region.
The CS revealed that other ongoing activities include oversight efforts to assess the progress made by partner states in eliminating non-tariff barriers within the EAC, as well as the management of wildlife by EAC partner states.
She urged the MPs to take proactive measures in developing and advocating for legislation that incorporates both benefits and sanctions, ensuring that all member states uphold their commitments to the EAC, adding that it was essential to foster accountability and bring meaningful progress within the region.
Principal Secretary (PS), East African Community, Abdi Dubat, highlighted the significance of the new office spaces for Kenya’s EALA representatives.
He noted that it was the first time they are receiving modern office space, marking a major milestone that reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing the working environment for MPs.
Dubat observed that the state-of-the-art offices will not only boost morale and productivity of the members but also give them ample time to deliver quality services in the Assembly.
Chairman of the Kenya Chapter of EALA, Hassan Omar, observed that despite their varied political alignments, EALA MPs have united as one team to advocate for the EAC integration process and to represent Kenya’s best interests in the regional assembly.
Omar praised Kenya for its leadership role in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), highlighting the country’s prompt and full remission of financial obligations, which he considered essential for the assembly’s effectiveness.
He underscored the dedication and expertise of Kenyan MPs, citing their exceptional performance in various committees and on the assembly floor as a testament to their commitment to regional governance.
Other EALA MPs present at the handover ceremony included Maina Mwangi, Kanini Kega, Kennedy Musyoka, Zipporah Kering and Iman Falhada Deko.
The event also saw the attendance of high-ranking officials from the Ministry of East African Community, ASALs, and Regional Development.
By Ian Chepkuto and Duncan Ifire
