President William Ruto is set to address the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on Tuesday as it convenes in Nairobi.
This is in line with Article 55 of the Treaty for the establishment of the East African Community, which provides for rotational sittings of the Assembly among the member states.
This plenary session, scheduled to run until March 20, will bring together members of Kenya's Parliament, High Commissioners, and Ambassadors from East African Community partner states.
State House press secretary Emmanuel Talam confirmed the event.
Returning to Kenya after its last rotational plenary in 2018, the EALA recognizes Nairobi as a vital centre for economic and diplomatic activities.
As a member of the EAC Summit of Heads of State, President Ruto's words carry significant weight in guiding the assembly's work.
The rotational sessions, mandated by the EAC Treaty, contribute significantly to enhancing visibility, and public participation, and fostering closer collaboration with the Parliaments of Partner States.
The EALA elected members from Kenya include Hassan Omar, Iman Falhada, Kennedy Musyoka, Kanini Kega, Zipporah Kering, Godfrey Mwangi, Winnie Odinga, David Sankok and Suleiman Shahbal.
Joseph Ntakirutimana is the speaker of EALA.
Since its establishment in 2001, the assembly has had five speakers from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda (2) and Rwanda.
Article 53(1) of the treaty indicates that “the Speaker of the Assembly shall be elected on a rotational basis by the elected members of the Assembly from among themselves to serve for a period of five years.”
According to RULE 7 (9) (d) of the EALA rules of procedure a member shall not be elected as Speaker unless he or she is supported by votes of two-thirds of all members of the House and if no candidate is supported by the votes of two-thirds of all members, a further ballot shall be held between the first two candidates.
And Rule 7 (5) indicates that “the election of a Speaker shall be by secret ballot.”
The Speaker of the regional assembly is elected from the members by the members and serves a term of five years.
