[PHOTOS] How Ruto was welcomed at EALA assembly

Members of the  East Africa Legislative Assembly gathered at the Parliament Buildings for the official opening of the special plenary sitting during the inaugural session of the 5th Assembly.

A few minutes before 10 am, President William Ruto arrived outside the Parliament buildings ready to open the session.

After the guard of honour, Ruto proceeded and entered Parliament grounds, where he was received by EALA Speaker Joseph Ntakirutimana.

Also lining up to receive the President was National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and his Senate counterpart Amason Kingi.

Members of EALA from all the member states also line up to greet President  Ruto.

The Kenyan team included Hassan Omar, Iman Falhada, Kennedy Musyoka, Kanini Kega, Zipporah Kering, Godfrey Mwangi, David Sankok and Suleiman Shahbal.

Also, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was present.

According to its Rules and Procedures, EALA sessions are held on a rotational basis in the five EAC partner states.

At least two of the sittings out of the six held each year have to take place in Arusha, one of which is the budget session each May or June.

EALA legislators last held sittings in Nairobi in 2018.

Currently, the EALA membership stands at 63 with 54 elected members from all the partners and eight ex-officio members.

The 63-member states assembly will hold its sittings – both whole house and committees – at the Parliament Buildings until March.