Regional MPs call for funding to speed up EAC integration

East African Community partner states have been urged to fulfill funding commitments to hasten the integration process.

According to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) lack of funding has compromised operations with some organs unable to function.

EALA Speaker Daniel Kidega said partner states must show commitment to the integration process to make the bloc a serious trading partner.

“The major challenge the EAC faces today is funding. The matter is so critical that the assembly and a number of the EAC organs and institutions have been gravely affected. Partner states are hereby appealed to comply with their commitments to fund EAC integration,” Mr Kidega said.

The East African Community has six main organs that facilitate the integration of the region.

Organs under the East African Community include the EAC Secretariat, East Africa Court of Justice, Lake Victoria Basin Commission, East African Kiswahili Commission and the East African Science and Technology commission.

In the current financial year, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi have committed Sh853 million each bringing the total allotment to Sh4.2 billion.