The Kenyan National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetang'ula, has appealed to the East African Community (EAC) Bureau of Speakers to return a directive on paying EALA members to the regional Heads of State Summit for reconsideration. He warned that implementing the decision without amending and ratifying the relevant Treaty provisions could raise legal and institutional challenges. The directive was adopted during the 25th Ordinary EAC Summit in Arusha on March 7, 2026.
The dispute centres on a decision requiring national assemblies to take over the payment of EALA members from December 2027, while the EAC retains responsibility for paying sitting allowances. Wetang'ula emphasized that Summit decisions are binding on Partner States, but their implementation must comply with the existing EAC Treaty and national constitutions. Kenya is concerned about the potential impact on EALA's institutional independence, equality among its members, and the mandate of national parliamentary service commissions.
Wetang'ula questioned whether extending the responsibility of paying EALA members to the Parliamentary Service Commission would be consistent with the commission's existing mandate. He also warned that the proposed December 2027 implementation deadline might not allow sufficient time for the necessary legal changes. Amending the EAC Treaty would require Partner States to undertake the applicable ratification procedures under Article 150.
Kenya argued that completing both the amendment and ratification processes across all Partner States within the proposed timeframe would be difficult. Wetang'ula stated that it would not be practically and technically feasible to undertake amendment and ratification processes by December 2027. Kenya consequently indicated that it would ask the Bureau to return the decisions concerning remuneration and elections to the Summit for further consideration.
EALA Speaker Joseph Ntakirutimana urged national parliaments and EAC institutions to work together in developing a framework that addresses the legal, financial, and administrative implications of the proposed changes. He emphasized the need to preserve the Assembly's institutional character and ensure equal treatment of its members across the Partner States.
The Extraordinary Meeting of the Bureau of EAC Speakers was chaired by Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, Speaker of Somalia's House of the People and Chairperson of the Bureau. Speakers and representatives from EAC Partner States attended the meeting to consider the implications of the Summit directive. The Bureau agreed to advise the Heads of State collectively, with Uganda's Speaker tasked with presenting its recommendations to the Summit chair.
The discussions highlight a wider question about how the EAC should implement regional decisions while respecting the Treaty, national constitutional requirements, and the independence of its institutions. Wetang'ula confirmed that Kenya had met its financial commitment towards the EAC Games scheduled to take place in Arusha from December 5 to 15, 2026, and would field a full delegation.
Key points
- Kenya has called for a review of a directive requiring national parliaments to pay members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
- The proposed transfer of remuneration responsibilities could affect EALA's institutional independence, equality among its members, and the mandate of national parliamentary service commissions.
- Kenya argued that completing the amendment and ratification processes across all Partner States within the proposed timeframe would be difficult.
