National Assembly Speaker Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula has intensified the push for the regional integration at the East Africa Community (EAC) meeting of Speakers that ended in Juba, South Sudan.
Wetang’ula also used the Speakers’ Bureau Conference to vouch for direct election of East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) legislators by the voters.
Wetang’ula was accompanied by nominated Senator Hon. Veronica Maina who represented Senate Speaker Hon. Amason Kingi diring the meeting.
Currently, Parliaments of the respective EAC member States elect the EALA legislators but Dr Wetang’ula said involving the voters will help in creating a more understanding of the regional bloc.
This, said Wetang’ula, will give a boost to the call for integration.
“During the meeting I presented my subscription to the school of thought that; in the spirit of enhanced integration of the East African Community, we need to consider, positively, a change on the mode of election of EALA legislators,” said Wetang’ula.
He went on: “In my respective view, the EALA legislators ought be elected through direct universal suffrage by the citizens of the member states as opposed to their appointment by either the Executive, Electoral College or Parliament.”
“This suffrage election will enable candidates for the EALA seats to vigorously traverse the region as they campaign, enabling local people understand the roles of the Regional Assembly and the importance of the EAC integration,” added Wetang’ula.
At the meeting, Wetang’ula also emphasized the importance of the Speakers’ Bureau meeting, noting that it provided an opportunity for them to hold discussions on Parliaments’ role in spurring regional development and unity.
He termed the push for regional integration as a noble goal even as he recognised what he observed as “the critical role” played by the Speakers’ Bureau in fostering the same.
“As Speakers, our cardinal duty is to ensure all Policies formulated by the Executive are enacted into law for the progress of the region,” Wetang’ula said.
During the meeting, the outgoing Speakers’ Bureau Chairperson Hon. Jemma Nunu Kumba, Speaker of the South Sudan Parliament, handed over the mantle to the Tanzanian counterpart, Hon. Dr. Tulia Ackson.
Wetang’ula commended Hon. Dr. Nunu for her exemplary leadership for the one year she has been at the Bureau’s helm.
He further congratulated Hon. Kumba and assured her of Kenya’s support as she took over the Bureau’s leadership.
Early during the week, Clerks of the Regional National Assemblies held their annual meeting at the same venue, setting the stage for the Speakers’ Conference.
This was the 17th meeting of Clerks of the National Legislatures of East African Community member States and EALA.
The member states are Republic of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, the Republic of South Sudan, the Republic of Uganda, and the United Republic of Tanzania.
The meeting of the Clerks was chaired by Mr Micheal Kadebe, who represented the Clerk of the Tanzanian National Assembly.
It was used to prepare working documents and agenda for the Bureau of Speakers’ meeting.
Kenyan National Assembly Deputy Clerk Mr. Jeremiah Ndombi represented Clerk Mr Samuel Njoroge while Senate Clerk Mr Jeremiah Nyegenye was represented by Director Dr. Johnson Okello.
Among the key issues on the agenda of the Clerks’ meeting was the preparatory arrangements of the annual Inter-Parliamentary games to be held in Rwanda in December.
The meeting also discussed consideration of the Draft Framework on collaboration between EALA and National Legislatures and challenges facing the regional body.
“The meeting was fruitful and set agenda for the Thursday’s East African Community Speakers’ Bureau conference,” said Mr Ndombi.
The EAC Speakers’ Bureau was established in 2008 with a mandate to set up a functional working relationship between and among the Speakers of five partner States.
This was aimed at enhancing the role of the respective National Legislatures in the EAC integration agenda.
Clerks are technical officers of their respective National Legislatures and therefore comprise the technical arm of the Speakers’ Bureau.