Parliament of Kenya late Thursday elected its nine representatives to the regional Assembly, setting stage for the inauguration of the Fourth Assembly of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on December 18, 2017, in Arusha, Tanzania, a press release from East African Community (EAC) Secretariat says.
Top on the agenda during the week-long First Sitting of the First Session of the Fourth Assembly, is the swearing-in of Members, election of the Speaker and that of Members to the EALA Commission as well as the constitution of various Committees.
The nine elected nominees to EALA from Kenya are; Simon Mbugua, Florence Jematiah, Mpuri Aburi, Aden Noor and Wanjiku Muhia. Other members are Oburu Odinga, Kennedy Kalonzo, Abdikadir Aden and Fatuma Ibrahim.
The Third Assembly wound up its tour of duty on June 4, 2017 and was expected to have commenced on June 5, 2017. However by then, only Parliament of Uganda, Parliament of Tanzania, Parliament of Burundi and Parliament of Tanzania had finalised the processes. The Transitional National Legislative Assembly of South Sudan on its part, had to repeat its elections following an application filed at the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) by a citizen of the country, Mr Wani Salantino challenging the process. The Parliament revisited the issue and held fresh elections on August 3rd, 2017, before filing the names with EALA.
Parliament of Uganda was the first House to elect Members to the regional Assembly on March 1, 2017. Their 9 Member team consists of three returning incumbents, Susan Nakawuki, Fred Mukasa Mbidde and Chris Opoka. The new faces to EALA are Rose Akol, Mathias Kasamba, Mary Mugyenyi and Paul Musamali. Others are Dennis Namara, and George Stephen Odongo.
Parliament of Tanzania returned Adam Kimbisa and Maryam Ussi from the Third Assembly. The newcomers include Hon Josephine Lemoyan, Hon Happiness Lugiko, Pamela Maassay, Dr Ngwaru J Maghembe, Dr Abdullah Makame, Eng. Habib Mnyaa and Fancy Nkuhi.
Parliament of Rwanda’s list submitted to EALA in May 2017, includes Hon Pierre Celestin Rwigema, Martin Ngoga, Gasinzigwa Oda and Kalinda Francois Xavier, all who previously served in the 3rd Assembly. New faces include Alex Bahati, Fatuma Ndangiza, Rutazana Francine, Barimuyabo Jean Claude and Uwumukiza Francoise.
Parliament of Burundi on their part elected Jean Marie Muhirwa, Leontine Nzeyimana, Ahingejeje Alfred, Hon Burikukiye Marie Claire, Hon Burikukiye Victor, Karerwa Mo-Mamo, Hon Nduwayo Christophe, Rurakamvye Pierre Claver and Hon Nsavyimana Sophie.
South Sudan’s representatives are Hon Dr Ann Itto Leonardo, Gai Deng Nhial Deng, Dr Woda Jaremiah Odok, Gabriel Garang Ahol and Dr Gabriel Garang Arol. Others are; Thomas D Deng, Mukulia Kennedy Ayason, Kim Duop and Gideon Gatpan Thoar.
Meanwhile, preparations for the forthcoming Sitting are at an advanced stage in Arusha with a number of Speakers from the Partner States’ Parliaments expected to grace the occasion.
All Members are expected to be sworn in by the Clerk before election of the Speaker. The new EALA Speaker who takes over from Daniel F. Kidega is expected to guide the Assembly over the next five years taking it a notch higher in the integration dispensation.
EALA is an Organ of the East African Community established in 2001 with a mandate of legislation, representation and oversight. It is constituted of nine elected members from each of the Partner States.
Fourth EALA set to be inaugurated on Monday in Arusha
