Kenyatta: EAC Integration Should Be Faster

Addressing EAC member states in Tanzania, Kenyatta said there was need for faster integration within the region.

As the Chairman of EAC Heads of State Summit, President Kenyatta said he fully supported the integration of East Africa, pointing out that it is only through unity that the citizens are assured of wealth creation, job creation and prosperity.

The Head of State said member states need to complement each other and help one another overcome their weaknesses to achieve the agenda of integration.

“Unity is the surest way to achieve economic development for our people. The process of bringing the people of the region together should move faster.” the President said.

“We need to have quick systems to allow movement of people and goods. The future of our region lies in what is being done here in the EAC headquarters in Arusha,” President Kenyatta said.

On funding, the President said development partners have helped the EAC, but pointed out that the Community is an East African affair and the region should be self-reliant.

He also pledged to look into the issue of staff growth so that they do don’t stagnate at the time they work at EAC.

He said the review of institutions that is underway is a clear sign that EAC has grown since inception.

The President, who keenly listened to the issues facing EAC staff pledged to take up issues raised to the summit level to ensure fairness noting that the future of personnel serving at the Secretariat need to be guaranteed.

Cabinet Secretary and Chair of the EAC Council of Ministers Phyllis Kandie said the President’s visit is a sign of the region’s leaders’ commitment to the affairs of the EAC.

She disclosed that a review of EAC secretariat institutions as directed by the Summit was underway.

EAC Secretary General Richard Sezibera said, “Staff here serve for two terms at horizontal terms and without pension. The budget is growing and the EAC is the well-funded in Africa.”

He however lamented that donors still dominate funding of EAC and went ahead to cite examples.

In this financial year, for example, the member states have given $32 million (Sh2.75 billion), with donors giving $79.8 million (Sh6.85 billion).

Dr Sezibera said since President Kenyatta was elected, he had shown his commitment to regional integration through projects undertaken by his government.

“This is the first time a sitting chair of the EAC summit has visited the secretariat and staff,” Dr Sezibera concluded.

By Beth Nyaga