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The next East African Community (EAC) Heads of State Summit scheduled for today and tomorrow at the Arusha International Conference Centre comes against a background of symbolism.

Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta’s term draws to a close, with the clock ticking towards the exit of the East African Community Summit chairperson’s transformational era.

Preparations are complete for the EAC Heads of State Retreat on the EAC Common Market and the 22nd Ordinary Summit of the EAC Heads of State.

About 300 participants from Partner States, private sector, civil society and development partners are expected to attend both the High Level Retreat and the 22nd Summit.

Uhuru took over the chairmanship of the EAC in February 2021 from Rwanda’s Paul Kagame at a time the world was facing the Covid-19 health pandemic.

His term came to an end in May, and he is expected to hand over the chairmanship to Burundi’s Evariste Ndayishimiye. Among Uhuru’s achievements at the helm include the admission of the DRC into the bloc.

At the High Level Retreat, the Heads of State are expected to, among other things take stock of the progress of implementation of the Comesa Protocol.