By OUR CORRESPONDENT
Clerks of East African Community (EAC) Legislatures have called for financial support to the secretariat of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Led by Kenyan National Assembly Deputy Clerk Mr. Jeremiah Ndombi, the Clerks asked the Member countries to institutionalise support to EALA Secretariat, saying this will ensure smooth operations.
“The EALA Secretariat is not in a good state now. They require financial and man power support to be able to effectively serve the regional Assembly,” said Mr. Ndombi.
He added: “Let us not tire in supporting EALA Secretariat. We should consistently supplement their commendable job”.
Mr. Ndombi spoke when he opened the EAC Clerks meeting at the Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi.
EALA Deputy Clerk Mr. John Mutega told the meeting that they had not paid staff salaries for the month of October.
The meeting served as a routine exercise ahead of 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐮 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐀𝐂 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐞𝐝𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲.
Mr. Ndombi noted that his dream was to see a one East African state.
He observed that the EAC Speaker’s Bureau was key to achieving this goal.
“I would love to see a united EAC that has one anthem that is sung during events that bring the States under one umbrella,” he said.
Mr. Ndombi thanked his colleagues from Member States for the support they have provided to the Speaker’s Bureau.
Senate Deputy Clerk, Mr. Mohamed Ali who represented Clerk Mr. Jeremiah Nyegenye said it was an honour for Kenya to host the Speaker’s Bureau meeting.
He acknowledged the crucial role played by the Clerk’s in pushing the Agenda of the EAC Speakers Bureau.
“On behalf of the Clerk Mr. Nyegenye I commend the EAC Legislatures Clerks for their commitment to driving the Bureau Agenda and I assure you of our support,” he added.
The Clerks, who are technical officers of their respective Assemblies, play a key role in preparing the working documents and Agenda ahead of the Bureau meeting.
The Bureau of Speakers will bring together Speakers from the National Parliaments, Senates and EALA to discuss critical issues related to regional integration.
The Wednesday meeting will be chaired by Tulia Ackson, Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania.
Ackson is expected to hand over EAC Speakers Bureau leadership to the host Moses Wetang’ula.
The Bureau of EAC Speakers serves as the primary platform for promoting Parliamentary roles in legislation, oversight, and representation within the region.
It also advises the East African Heads of State Summit on Parliamentary matters.
The Bureau meets annually under the guidance of a rotating Chairperson.
South Sudan hosted the previous meeting.
The Agenda for the upcoming meeting will also include discussions on the upcoming EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games, which will be held in Mombasa.
Speakers will review the preparations for the championship during their session.
The Bureau of EAC Speakers has been instrumental in strengthening the role of national assemblies in advancing the EAC’s integration.
