This was among the agenda in the recently held Bureau of Speakers’ Meeting, which brought together
heads of national assembly from the five EAC member states.
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Speaker Daniel Kidega informed the meeting that EALA had
passed the EAC Elections Act, 2012, which envisages formation of the EAC Elections Board, whose
functions, inter alia, include developing, setting standards and advising Partner States on best electoral
practices.
The board’s mandate is to harmonise electoral standards to be adhered to by the national electoral
commissions, noting that this is a fundamental contribution by EALA towards strengthening electoral
processes in the region as a way to consolidate democracy. Kenya and Rwanda go to polls in 2017, a
year after Uganda’s February 2016 elections, while both Tanzania and Burundi held theirs in 2015.
The Speakers from the five East African countries, who have been meeting here, were also optimistic that
the operationalisation of the East African Parliamentary Institute (EAPI) will build capacities for
legislators, parliamentary staff and other stakeholders in parliamentary practice in widening and
deepening integration.
The operationalisation is expected in the next Financial Year once the EAPI Act, 2011, is gazetted by the
EAC Council of Ministers.
In addition, the bureau considered a number of key areas deemed to strengthen integration as they held a
one day forum in Arusha last Friday.
In this regard, national legislatures and the EALA are to commence the process of budgeting within the
Financial Year 2016/17, with the anticipated launch of the EAPI now in high gear. Under the EAPI Act,
2011, the Speakers’ Bureau forms the Board of Trustees and is expected to act conclusively on where the
institute shall be hosted and advise the Council of Ministers on the same.
Mr Kidega also took over the Chair from the Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania, Mr Job Ndugai. The
chair is on a one-year rotational basis. Mr Ndugai remarked that Tanzania was making great strides in
its role as an active Member of EAC and EALA.
He recalled that President John Magufuli and his Rwandan counterpart, Mr Paul Kagame, inaugurated a
One-Stop Border Post (OSBP) on April 6, which he noted is an important milestone towards facilitating
regional trade and deepening EAC integration.
Speaker of the Kenya National Assembly, Mr Justin Muturi and Speaker of the Senate Ekwee Ethuro as
well as the President (Speaker) of the Burundi Senate, Reverien Ndikuriyo, attended the Forum.
Parliament of Rwanda was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Jean d’Arc Uwamaninpaye, while the
Second Deputy Speaker of the Burundi National Assembly, Nduwimana Edouard represented the Speaker,
Mr Pascal Nyabenda.
The bureau further received the apologies of the Speaker of Parliament of Uganda, Ms Rebecca Kadaga. It
further amended the Rules of Procedures governing the Forum. With it, the Speakers amended Clause 1.1
of the Rules to include the Speakers and Presidents of the Senate as members of the Forum.
In addition, they revised clause 1.2 on definitions deleting the terms “National Assemblies/ Parliaments”
and substitute thereof with the words “national legislature, however, designated” wherever they appear in
the Rules.
The meeting also underscored the need of enhancing the functional relations between the national
legislatures and EALA.
The national legislatures have continued to play their oversight role on matters on EAC Affairs in their
respective jurisdictions, including the need to expedite amendments to the EAC Treaty. It was agreed
thus EALA submits the proposed amendments to the Treaty that it submitted to the EAC Council of
Ministers with the national legislatures.
In addition, a workshop of the network of senior parliamentary officers is anticipated in the latter half of
the year. In his remarks, the Speaker of EALA, Mr Daniel Kidega, reiterated the bureau’s enormous
contribution in strengthening the role of EAC Parliaments in the integration process in line with Article 49
(2) and 65 of the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC.
“In 2015, new members were elected to the parliaments of Burundi and Tanzania and in 2016; citizens of
Uganda elected their representatives to the Parliament of Uganda. In the coming year, the Bureau expects
citizens of Kenya and Rwanda to go through the same democratic process of giving their representatives
fresh mandate,” Mr Kidega said.
Mr Muturi added that it was vital for the partner states to move towards the alignment of national
political activities and trends with regional integration objectives, deepen integration and rapid socio-
economic transformation so as to prepare for and ultimately sustain the political federation.
The Senate of Kenya Speaker further appealed to the bureau to assist Burundi to foster peace and
reconciliation in every possible way.
