Uhuru urges EALA to boost secretariat

President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged the East African Legislative Assembly to strengthen its secretariat so that it can serve the region better and play a bigger role in integration.

He said a strengthened secretariat will enable the regional assembly to play a bigger role in the free movement of goods and people within the region.

President Kenyatta was speaking during a meeting with the EALA Speaker Martin Ngonga at State House, Nairobi.

The Speaker was accompanied by regional legislators including Dr Oburu Odinga, Simon Mbugua and Wanjiku Muhia.

Also present were East African Community CS Peter Munya and Chief Administrative Secretary in the ministry Ken Obura.

The President also met with the Speaker of the People’s National Assembly of Algeria Said Bouhadja, with whom he discussed cooperation between Kenya and Algeria.

In the meeting with the Algerian Speaker, President Kenyatta stressed the importance of the bilateral relations Kenya has enjoyed with Algeria.

He said Algeria has stood by Kenya and other African nations from the days of independence struggle.

The President said Kenya wants to strengthen its bonds with Algeria and to learn from its experiences especially in the exploitation of hydrocarbons, oils and minerals.

Mr Bouhadja was accompanied by a delegation of Algerian MPs and the Algerian Ambassador to Kenya, Mr Salah Francis.