Chief Justice Martha Koome has reaffirmed the Judiciary’s commitment to enhancing access to justice as she launched the Alternative Justice Systems and Court Annexed Mediation in Marsabit County.

Speaking at an event dubbed “Enhancing Access to Justice and Promoting People-Centered Justice Through the Multi-Door Approach to Justice,”, during which she promoted various avenues for dispute resolution, Justice Koome said that these initiatives would not only bring services closer to the people, but also significantly reduce the cost and time of resolving didputes.

Marsabit, Kenya’s second-largest county by landmass, poses unique challenges due to its vast settlements therefore, it was an opportune setting for the launch of an alternative dispute resolution mechanisms that are part of the Judiciary's mission of ensuring equitable access to justice for all residents.

The county currently has two court stations: the Marsabit Law Courts and Moyale Law Courts which provide vital judicial services, but their capacity remains limited compared to the region’s needs.

Chief Justice Koome noted that the Judiciary has been extending its reach through mobile courts in areas like Laisamis, North Horr, Loyangalani, Sololo, and Bute.

"The vast size of this county underscores the critical need to ensure justice is accessible to every resident, no matter how remote,” said the Chief Justice.

She thanked the County Government of Marsabit for allocating land in five locations for permanent court facilities and urged for continued support to overcome budgetary constraints hindering the Judiciary’s progress in construction.

"I therefore urge the county government and other local leaders to explore ways of offering further support and collaboration with the Judiciary to help us realize the goal of putting in place court infrastructure in these five locations. Permanent court facilities in these remote areas will significantly reduce the travel burden on litigants and law enforcement officers, thereby improving access to justice,” she said.

Chief Justice Koome championed the Judiciary’s Multi-Door Approach, designed to eliminate barriers to justice such as delays, case backlogs, and the high cost of litigation. Central to this strategy is the Court-Annexed Mediation (CAM) programme, which has yielded impressive results since its pilot launch in 2016.

“CAM has resolved 21,451 cases out of the 23,260 referred, unlocking approximately Ksh61.1 billion into the economy,” she revealed.

This initiative has significantly reduced litigation costs while promoting amicable resolutions, especially in business and family disputes.

he launch of the Marsabit Court-Annexed Mediation Registry aims to replicate this success locally, providing residents with access to mediation services tailored to their needs.

Furthering the Multi-Door Approach, Chief Justice Koome unveiled the Private Mediation Guidelines and FAQs and the Family Mediation Guidelines.

Private mediation offers an out-of-court avenue for dispute resolution, with agreements adopted as enforceable court orders.

“These guidelines provide an efficient, cost-effective, and amicable way to resolve disputes, supporting the preservation of relationships. Family mediation, in particular, addresses sensitive disputes with a focus on preserving harmony and future interactions,” said the CJ.

The Chief Justice also launched the Marsabit County Alternative Justice Systems (AJS) County Action Plan, Model, and Suite.

Recognising the value of traditional dispute resolution mechanisms, she emphasised the enduring relevance of culturally rooted systems.

"The Marsabit AJS Model recognizes the invaluable role of elders and community practitioners in resolving disputes, fostering peace, and promoting coexistence among the fourteen communities living in Marsabit. It addresses pressing issues such as land disputes, petty offences, intercommunity conflicts, and boundary disputes,” she stated.

She called on local leaders, stakeholders, and residents to embrace the initiatives, urging them to resolve inter-communal disputes through AJS mechanisms.

"We expect AJS elders and practitioners to be peace champions, fostering the peaceful coexistence of Marsabit’s diverse communities,” she said, emphasizing that sensitive cases, such as child defilement, must be referred to formal judicial channels.

Speaking at the same function, Marsabit Governor Mohamed Ali noted that a key feature of the traditional justice system is that it focuses more on righting the wrongs done to a person than on punishing the wrong doer.

"I have no doubt the people of Marsabit will welcome this Alternative Justice System and embrace it as the most speedy, inexpensive and non-adversarial path to justice and dispute resolution,” said the governor.

He pledged to support in popularizing the AJS system and also offer support to the Judiciary to establish structures and spaces for the implementation of Alternative Justice System in Marsabit county

Also launched during the event is the Judiciary Official Residence in Marsabit, a project that represents a broader commitment to developing infrastructure.

With the official launch of the Marsabit Court-Annexed Mediation Registry, the Family and Private Mediation Guidelines, and the AJS initiatives, Marsabit is poised to benefit from a transformative justice approach that bridges formal and traditional systems.

Sarova Hotels has reaffirmed its position as a leader in luxury hospitality with significant wins at the 2024 World Luxury Hotel Awards. These accolades underscore Sarova’s commitment to delivering world-class experiences and continuous dedication to innovation in the industry.

Among the awards, Sarova Lion Hill Game Lodge was celebrated as East Africa’s Luxury Game Lodge and Safari Lodge, and also recognized as the continent’s premier Luxury Safari Retreat.

Sarova Maiyan garnered top regional awards in three categories: Luxury Hotel & Conference Centre, Rooftop View Hotel, and Wedding Resort.

In the renowned Masai Mara National Reserve, Sarova Mara Game Camp was honored as East Africa’s leading Luxury Safari Retreat and Africa’s top Tented Safari Camp.

In Nairobi, Sarova Stanley Hotel stood out as East Africa’s most Luxurious City Hotel, Conference & Event Hotel, and was named Africa’s Luxurious Heritage Hotel.

Meanwhile, Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa earned top honors in Africa for Luxury Beachfront Resort, Conference & Event Hotel, and Family Beach Resort.

Commenting on the awards, Sarova Hotels & Resorts Managing Director, Jimi Kariuki, said, “These awards are a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing world-class service to our guests, not only in Kenya but globally. Every recognition reflects the passion and dedication of our teams who consistently strive to elevate the guests experience, embracing both innovation and the unique spirit of African hospitality.”

Established in April 1974 with the opening of Ambassadeur Hotel in Nairobi, Sarova Hotels & Resorts has grown into a renowned hospitality powerhouse with nine distinguished properties under its brand, collectively offering 1,165 guest bedrooms. From its modest beginnings, the company has expanded and embraced innovation and remained steadfast in its commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.

“We remain committed to setting new standards in the luxury hotel sector and look forward to continuing this journey of excellence with our guests, partners, and the communities we serve.” He added.

As Sarova Hotels & Resorts marks their 50th anniversary this year, this milestone is a testament to half a century of unparalleled service, resilience, and unwavering dedication to excellence.

The World Luxury Hotel Awards, established in 2006, are recognized as the ultimate achievement in the luxury hotel industry. Leading brands worldwide compete in these awards, with Sarova Hotels distinguished among the few celebrated as industry leaders.

The government has onboarded 18000 services through the National e-citizen and together with other immigration functions now collects Sh 400 Billion Immigration Principal Secretary Prof Julius Bitok has said.

Prof Bitok said that there was a huge leap in the cash collection following the government’s deliberate move to put most of its services on the digital platform becoming the first country in the world to have such a number of services online.

Speaking when he took the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and acting Interior and National Coordination Cabinet Secretary through their services at the Nyayo house, Prof Bitok said that Kenya has had surpassed Rwanda with about 700 services online alongside other countries like India and most of the European countries which had less than 500 such functions digitally.

“From 354 services on e-citizen, we are now doing 18,000 services digitally, the result is that the government collects Sh300 billion from e-citizen alone and another Sh 100 billion on other immigration functions, making it one of the best performers in revenue collection,” said Prof Bitok.

Prof Bitok said the government had identified 20,721 services for onboarding onto the e-Citizen platform out of which 17,692 were on boarded, representing 85 percent of identified services.

“Further, 547 MDAs were identified for onboarding out of which 288 were successfully onboarded representing 52 percent of identified Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

Prof Bitok said in the Financial Year 2023/2024, the State Department had issued 539,810 passports, 28,121 work permits, 186,892 Temporary permits, 566,294 visas, and 666,475 Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA).

“We have also given out 1,002 Citizenship certificates, 1,472 Permanent Residence certificates, 824,364 ID cards (2nd generation), and 972,630 Maisha cards (3rd generation). We have also registered 1,168,151(75 percent) births and 204,498 which is 45 percent deaths,” said Prof Bitok.

During the same period, the PS said that 6,996,404 Kenyan Citizens and foreign nationals were cleared at the point of entry, while 145,746 refugees were registered.

The PS said that the state Department was collecting about Sh 900 million to a billion daily from their services from a paltry Sh60 million daily when there were less than 400 services, noting that just a few services had remained before all the government services became cashless.

He noted that they had done away with the several pay bills that were causing confusion and possible leakage of cash and instead had adopted the 222222 pay bill number as their sole mobile payment number.

Mudavadi thanked the officers at the State Department for their dedication and urged them to give Kenyans their best services as a sign of patriotism to their country.

“Your first and last agenda should be to the service of Kenyans,” said Mudavadi.

He noted that through technology, the country was on the right trajectory and urged for the onboarding of the remaining services to ensure that there was no cash interaction between the government officers and Kenyans thus ensuring diminished corruption.

“From what I am seeing, when you reduce the human interaction with cash, you have solved more than half of the problems to do with corruption,” said Mudavadi.

Immigration Director-General Evelyn Cheluget said the department had reduced the production of passports from two to several months in the past, now it took seven days for a Kenyan to get their passports.

“We have also increased the stations including new ones in Bungoma and Kericho where Kenyans can get their passports so that Kenyans don’t have to travel far for their passports. We plan to open three other new stations in Machakos, Nyeri, and Garissa to ensure there are no long lines in the queue,” said Ms Cheluget.

Akili Kids!, the most trusted children’s brand in Kenya, has officially renamed its TV station Akili TV, expanding its strategic vision to include more programming for teens, youth and families.

This evolution, at the request of its audience, signifies a major shift from just children's content to becoming a safe, entertaining, and educative destination for the whole family.

By curating educational entertainment for children of all ages during the day and bond-building programming for families in the evening during prime time, Akili TV continues its mission to educate, entertain, and provide a positive impact across Kenya.

New Shows and Partnerships

With this exciting new chapter, Akili TV has partnered with award-winning global and local content creators to bring an impressive lineup of family-friendly shows, including Voice of America with shows like Straight Talk Africa, Our Voices, Red Carpet, and Startup Africa that bring insightful programming from global and African perspectives.

More programs have been added, like Malory Towers and Ruby and The Well from WildBrain, celebrated for their fun and family values; Sinking Ship Entertainment’s Beyond Black Beauty, a series that showcases diversity and youth empowerment; from Boat Rocker

Relative Race, a family-oriented reality series centered on discovering family connections; and from Blue Ant Studios is All-Round Champion, a long-running competition series, based on the hit Norwegian format, that follows a roster of para-athletes as they learn a new sport, hone their skills, and finally go head-to-head in competition where one athlete is declared the winner.

Locally, the brand has acquired Foods of Kenya from D&R Studios, which celebrates Kenya’s unique regional cuisines, and Girl Pawa from Kikwetu Productions, a Kenyan teenage drama about friendship and ambition in the world of dance.

Mission Accomplished, is another great addition to our lineup of shows from our partner, Mtoto News. It showcases exceptional figures who have accomplished outstanding success in their respective areas.

“Akili’s brand evolution is a reflection of our audience, which has expanded beyond just children since the day we launched,” said Jesse Soleil, President of Akili Network.

Adding “We feel like we’re giving a voice to the millions of viewers that love and trust Akili and building important moments that our families can share. This is the power of television over digital experiences — a singular experience on a digital platform doesn’t build strong relationships and reflect family values. Television, through shared experiences, can do what digital can’t.” 

“When we first launched the channel, our most frequent complaint from parents was “I’ve lost control of the remote”. With our new prime-time offerings, we will hopefully end the internal household challenges over what to watch on TV!.” said Jeff Schon, CEO of Akili Network. 

The Kenya Association of Muslim Medical Professionals (Kammp) has come out to support the Social Health Authority (SHA).

According to the association, SHA is a good scheme but needs to be rolled out in a strategic manner to achieve universal health coverage.

Kammp president Dr Ahmed Twahir says although SHA has faced teething problems, his associations supports it in the hope that it will become a good scheme in the end.

Many of our members are medical officers in medical facilities so it is very important we work very closely with SHA to see how the UHC program will work out and benefit the community” said Twahir.

He says the association will hence work closely SHA to achieve the objectives of the scheme and benefit Kenyans.

“I think SHA is an amazing idea that needs to be rolled out in a very strategic manner”

Adding “In the beginning there must be some teething problems but I think if we support it it’s got it’s good intention then things will work work out well at the end.”

He spoke during the 6th Kammp conference held at Pride Inn Paradise beach resort in Mombasa county.

 The meeting brought together Muslim doctors and medical professionals in lower levels.

On his part Kammp national secretary Abdalla Bajaber said in addressing the teething problems in SHA, government should consider paying hospitals their dues and get a feedback from the medical professionals.

“We all agree that in principle that any country that has a proper health insurance is a no given that everyone is okay with that, what we need to do is to put is strategic” said Bajaber.

He said members support SHA but want the issues that emerged at the beginning of roll out addressed with speed.

The association is concerned with the welfare of the Muslim community and professional development of its members through training.

Dr Twahir said one of their objectives was to put up an institution for training members.

The All Ladies Martial Arts Club  launched Tong-IL Moo-Do sport at the Swahilipot Hub in Mombasa.

The Tong-IL Moo-Do club consists of ladies made history by becoming the first club in the country to target girls and ladies athletes.

Representing the Kenya Tong-IL Moo-Do Federation Chairman Clarence Ingwala, the national Captain Master Elvis Malipe said there was need for women to acquire skills in self-defense because of increased cases of gender-based violence and femicide in the country.

Master Ingwala pointed out that there was urgency for more female instructors in the sport but cultures and religions has contributed to fewer instructors.

“As a sport, we are targeting the communities in the coastal and north eastern regions to allow their girls to participate in the sport so that the federation can grow the number of female instructors in the country,” he said the chairman.

The Chairman also noted the importance of the new club in mentoring young girls in the field of martial arts.

“I am delighted now that in the promotion of Tong-IL Moo-Do more women will hone skills in self-defense, spiritual discipline and physical fitness”. He stated.

The Chairman emphasized that the opportunity will provide more women avenues into the national team Jasiri as competitors and instructors.

At the same time , the chairman said that with the leadership and the experience of instructor Salma Ali the players will gain the appropriate skills that she honed from both locally and international championships.

“Her immense contribution for the National team Jasiri in numerous international assignments across the globe and skills will be beneficial to the new crop of martial arts athletes. We hope the same skills will be spread to the next generation in martial arts,” he said.

Salma Ali, the club founder said that she will provide a safe and supportive space for women to learn martial arts and empower themselves.

“We will develop skills to prepare them to be ready for the competitive global job market for self defence instructors and fitness coaches.” She added.

Ali, the Jasiri ladies captain, Lorna Apiyo Abiero and Master Elvis Malipe Ole Mpakuanik are the recipients of the presidential National Heroes Award 2024.

Speaking at the event, Mahmoud Noor, the Swahilipot Hub founder lauded the initiative saying that it was timely and women needed to grab the chance.

"When you empower a woman, you empower a nation. Therefore, to support the club 5 girls will receive sponsorship to train in martial arts.”

 He  assured the club that the training for girls  was a step towards helping  girls from dropping out of school, drug and substance abuse, early marriages and pregnancies.

Zahra Hajj, a popular Mombasa entrepreneur and content creator pointed that she will advocate for women support and encouraged more women to uplift each other in their respective activities.

During the launch, Instructor Ali led the athletes in  performing martial arts demonstrations that  showcased the different Tong-IL Moo-Do techniques that includes  basics, forms, one-step sparring and free sparring techniques.

In conclusion, Master Ingwala urged all  Kenyans and attendees to support  the 12th Edition of the Mombasa Open Tong-IL Moo-Do International Martial Arts Championship that will takeplace from 11th - 24th December 2024 at the Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa.

This annual global event is a key platform for all martial arts athletes to showcase their skills and talents against the best from across the globe, and the ladies are no exception.

Skyward Express has inaugurated its first direct flight from Nairobi to Dar es Salaam. 

Skyward Express will operate  three weekly flights between Nairobi and Dar. This will be the airlines first route outside Kenya.

Skyward will fly to Dar es Salaam three times a week on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.

"Skyward express celebrates it's 11th year, this year, the Nairobi- Dar es Salaam is our 11th route" said Skyward Express Chairman Mohammed Abdi.

Adding" I'm excited to announce that we will soon be expanding our operations to DRC Congo"

On his part Transport cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir hailed the airline for the move.

"This is a space that was earlier thought to be only for international investors but Skyward has made us proud by investing in it." said Chirchir.

Adding" The aviation sector cuts cost in terms of time and cost of doing business, even as we sit here out travellers will be in Dar transacting business and come back to sleep home."

The airline is targeting business professionals and well as tourists who want to explore Dar es Salaam. 

Fares for this route by Skyward Express start from as low as Ksh 18,500.

The airline will also launch it's Nairobi- Mombasa- Dar es Salaam route in the next two weeks.

By Geraldine Sande, Channel Sales Leader for Schneider Electric East Africa

Kenya is emerging as a leader in renewable energy on the African continent, with an impressive 90% of its electricity generated from renewable sources, primarily geothermal, hydro and solar power.

The country's geothermal capacity, particularly harnessed from the Olkaria power plant, in the Great Rift Valley, is a cornerstone of its energy achievements, contributing about 46% of its total energy supply.

However, Kenya's rapidly growing population also means the electricity demand continues to increase faster than the supply.

As a result, Kenya also imports some power from Uganda, which produces more than it can use domestically.

Furthermore, the country faces last-mile power distribution challenges

To address this, the government has launched the Kenya Off-Grid Solar Access Project (KOSAP), which involves partnering with private players to provide solar-based last-mile distribution solutions to reach these unelectrified households.

Distribution monopoly

However, power distribution is handled by the Kenya Power and Lighting Corporation which hinders private sector players from entering the microgrids and mini-grids market.

The main challenge is the tariff standardisation and approval system.

As a result of Kenya’s tariff system, private players often have high capex which means they have to charge higher prices to recoup their investments.

This has been a point of contention, with the government struggling to overcome the tariff regulation challenges that make it difficult for private players to compete.

Meanwhile, international bodies such as the World Bank have been providing significant funding to try and attract and support private players, with a focus on reaching the last-mile consumers who lack grid access.

However, funding has to be distributed through local banks, which often impose high premiums and stringent eligibility criteria that make it difficult for community-based organisations to access the financing.

Despite these hurdles, there is a unique opportunity for the channel, including distributors, resellers, panel builders and system integrators to engage in a rapidly expanding market.

As the country aims to triple its renewable capacity, envisaging a fully renewable energy landscape by 2030, collaboration among these stakeholders will be essential to meet the increasing demand for sustainable energy solutions.

Robust offering

Schneider Electric has a wide product portfolio to cater to different energy needs. For residential home users, it has a robust offering, from solar lanterns to inverters ranging from 800kW to 15kW. These inverters allow end-users to have a fully solar-powered system or a hybrid system that can provide backup power during grid outages.

On the industrial side, many companies in Kenya are now looking to go green. There is a growing focus on carbon credits and reducing the use of fossil fuels in power generation. As industries move away from coal and diesel generators, we are seeing increased adoption of solar energy.

Schneider Electric's EcoXpert energy solutions allow industrial customers to monitor the proportion of their power usage that is grid-based versus solar-based. Specifically, the EcoXpert Energy Management System product provides real-time integration and monitoring of the grid and solar power sources used by industrial customers.

The responsibility for energy sustainability should not lie solely with the government but should be shared among various stakeholders. This includes the local administration, individual citizens, industries, schools, hospitals and other institutions.

All these different stakeholders have a role to play in ensuring that Kenya remains green and transitions away from fossil fuels to more sustainable options. The collective contribution and participation of these diverse stakeholders is crucial to achieving the country’s energy goals and moving it towards a greener future.

Lolie Sweet Wines, an exclusive new private label wine, made a grand debut at a launch event held last week Wednesday at the Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club.

The label, crafted for discerning Kenyan wine enthusiasts, is the latest venture of Judy Ngene, a renowned sommelier and leading wine importer in Kenya.

The event brought together industry leaders, wine aficionados, and Kenya’s hospitality elite, marking a new milestone in the Kenyan wine scene.

Judy Ngene’s expertise as a sommelier and her passion for fine wines inspired the creation of Lolie Sweet Wines, a brand tailored specifically to local preferences.

With this label, Judy aims to introduce Kenyan consumers to a refined yet accessible sweet wine that highlights both quality and the art of wine-making.

The wines in the Lolie collection are sourced from top vineyards in South of France, ensuring that each bottle reflects Judy's commitment to excellence and an exceptional tasting experience.

Ngene shared her vision for Lolie Wines at the event, saying, “Lolie Sweet Wines was born out of a deep desire to offer a wine that Kenyans can relate to something that captures the sweetness of life and is perfect for all occasions. We want to make wine enjoyable, approachable, and part of the everyday celebration.”

The launch event featured curated cocktails made of the Lolie Sweet Wines, accompanied by a selection of gourmet pairings.

Attendees were also treated to exclusive insights from Ngene on the meticulous process behind Lolie’s production, the inspiration for each wine's flavor profile, and her dedication to growing Kenya’s wine culture.

Lolie Sweet Wines is now available for purchase at select retailers such as Carrefour & Naivas Supermarkets, with plans for expanded distribution in the coming months.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged the East African Community Bureau of Speakers to strive into nurturing the body into an enviable regional integration block across the world.

In his acceptance Speech after his election to head the regional body, he noted that the Bureau remains central in bolstering regional unity, cooperation and shared prosperity of the region as embodied in the East Africa Community Statutes and Protocol.

“The Bureau is a key body in enabling EAC achieve its unity and integration dream. As Members of the Bureau our community are looking at us to steer the dream to reality,” he added.

Wetang’ula made the remarks during the official opening of the 18th Meeting of the EAC Speakers Bureau at Emara Ol-Sereni hotel in Nairobi today.

The Speaker also took over the leadership of the regional body that brings together National Parliaments of eight EAC Members countries from the outgoing Chairperson, Ackson Tulia.

Tulia is the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Tanzania.

“Our meeting today is more than just a routine Assembly. It is an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of the East African Community. Let us draw inspiration from our past, our shared heritage, and our collective aspirations to build a future that is inclusive, prosperous, and peaceful for all our people,” he said.

Wetang’ula added: “I reaffirm Kenya’s unwavering commitment to the EAC integration agenda. Our Parliament is ready to work closely with our counterparts to advance these shared priorities and realize the vision of a prosperous, peaceful, and united East Africa,” he added.

He challenged the Speakers to be guided by the high calling to the responsibilities bestowed upon them by our respective citizens during the meeting. 

Wetang’ula said the Bureau of Speakers has demonstrated remarkable strides in advancing the realization of her mandate as an institution of EAC.

“Key among them being capacity building by operationalizing the East Africa Parliamentary Training Institute (EAPI),” he added.

 Wetang’ula commended the Bureau of Speakers for ensuring the harmonization of procedures through amendment of rules of procedures governing the forum and enhancing the relations between National Legislatures and East African legislative Assembly (EALA). 

"It is indeed through the concerted efforts of the Bureau of EAC Speakers that the EAC has experienced enhanced effectiveness with regard to the realization of its mission of creating a prosperous, competitive, and politically united East Africa,” he said.

He explained that he EAC Bureau of Speakers conceptualized the Inter-Parliamentary Games in a bid to foster relations between the EALA and the national parliaments of the EAC, as well as to popularize EAC integration.

He added that Kenya was ready to host the 14th Edition of the Inter-Parliamentary Games slated for December 6th to 18th at the Coastal City of Mombasa.

"Allow me to highlight that adequate facilities have been assessed to ensure compliance to the required set standards. I can confirm to the Bureau that I am satisfied by the level of preparations for the championship.

He notified the meeting that teams that delay booking for accommodation might be stranded owing to the fact that Mombasa attracts more local and international tourists during the festive season.

"Owing to the fact that Mombasa is a renowned tourist destination globally, more so at the end of the year, it is advisable that attendees to the games do their reservations in good time to avoid last minute rush which may provide limited options on both variety and convenience,” he advised.

 Tulia commended the Speakers for their commitment and dedication in driving the Bureau’s Agenda.

“Together we have made significant strides in promoting the EAC’s mission, strengthening our regional cooperation and continuing the legacy of unity envisioned by our founding fathers for the region,” she added.

She added that since re-establishment of the EAC in 1999 the regional body has grown to encompass eight partner States bringing together more than 312 million people across the nation’s diverse.

She noted that the Bureau of Speakers established in 2008 has been instrumental in fostering a strong working relationship between national legislatures and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

She used the meeting to welcome the Republic of Somali who are the new members of the EAC Speakers Bureau.

Tulia regretted that the Bureau faced financial challenges occasioned by failure by some member countries to remit their contributions as required by the law.

She noted that the Bureau required USD 120 million annually to run its operations effectively but underfunding due to delayed remittance by member states hampered their smooth operations.

“I therefore urge each partner state to fulfill its financial commitments, understanding that a financially empowered EAC id crucial to achieving its integration objectives,” she added.

EALA Speaker Joseph Ntakirutimana raised concerns that the regional body was facing financial challenges and asked Member States to pay up their arrears.

He noted that the Assembly had passed several Bills that had not been assented to thereby affecting their legislative Agenda.

He noted that the Bills that were pending assent included, The EAC Human Rights and People’s Rights, 2012, Inter University Council for EAC 9Amendment Bill)2-012, The EAC Public Holidays Bill, 2013, The EAC Cooperative Societies Bill, 2015 and The EAC Counter Trafficking in Persons Bill, 2016.

Others are, The Prohibition of Anti Female 2016, Genital Mutilation Bill, The EAC Court of Justice Bill, 2016, The EAC Polythene Materials Control Bill, 2017, The EAC Integrity and Anti-Corruption Bill, 2021 and The EAC Customs Amendments Bill, 2022.

Other Speakers attending the 18th EAC Speakers Meeting included; the Speaker of the National Assembly of Uganda, the Rt.Hon. Anita Annet Among, Speaker of the Senate of Burundi, the Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Emmanuel Sinzohagera, Speaker of the Senate Somalia, the Rt. Hon. Abdi Hashi Abdalahi, Speaker of the National Assembly of South Sudan, the Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Jemma Nunu Kumba, Second Deputy President of the National Assembly of Burundi, the Rt. Hon. Abel Gashatis and Speaker Chambers of Deputies Rwanda, the Rt. Hon. Gertrude Kazarwa who participated virtually.