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Experts from East Africa Community Member States are reaching out to the public to give views on the regional political federation they would prefer.

The constitutional experts are camping in Mombasa and plan to hold 20 days of public hearing sessions in the coastal city, before moving to Kisumu, Kakamega, Eldoret, Nakuru, Nyeri, Embu, Garissa and Nairobi counties.

The proposed East African Community Political Confederation is meant to strengthen and fast-track regional integration in East Africa.

Justice Benjamin Odoki, the Chairperson of the Committee of Experts tasked with drafting a model constitution for the proposed Political Confederation further said that the Treaty for the Establishment of the EAC was not self-sufficient thus the need for the confederation.

Justice Odoki said that the idea was to strengthen the Community through a Confederation, which he pointed out was a transitional model to the Political Federation enshrined in the Treaty as the fourth and ultimate stage of the integration process.

Justice Odoki disclosed that under a confederal system, some kind of central authority would be put in place to guide policies and activities in the Partner States.

Cabinet Secretary for East African Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, Rebecca Miano said hat national stakeholders’ consultations on the Political Confederation was a crucial engagement in the context of the community’s efforts towards promoting popular participation, which in turn, will inform the policy decision to be made.  Miano said the public hearing is an excellent way of enforcing the spirit of true ownership of the envisaged outcomes. 

“I can confirm to you that the team of experts will listen to and engage Kenyans on what type of Confederal Constitution EAC should have from all the 47 counties across the country. We therefore appeal to the media to sensitise our citizens and create public awareness about this exercise starting today, 8th May to 27th May, 2023,” added the CS.

The Cabinet Secretary made an appeal to members of the public to get in touch with offices of the Governors in all the 47 Counties for guidance on how to participate or at the offices of the Regional and County Commissioners.

“I encourage women, religious, youth, civil society, and the academia and business leaders to participate,’’ said the CS.

National consultations

EAC secretary general Dr Peter Mutuku Mathuki said in a statement a virtual meeting Kenya is the third Partner State where national consultations are being conducted.

Similar national consultations had already been conducted in Burundi in and Uganda.

“I call upon all invited stakeholders to make time, have their views heard and contributions made in order to shape the eventual Constitution for the EAC Political Federation,” he added.

Justice Benjamin Odoki, the Chairman of the Committee of Constitutional Experts who is spearheading the public hearings in Kenya said, “Experts will use the 20-day long public hearings to listen and discuss with the people of Kenya on the EAC Political Confederation that they want, building on the existing EAC Treaty and the achievements already recorded.

“I want to assure you we value your contributions keeping in line with the fundamental principle of people-centred regional cooperation, we will be guided by your views in this constitution drafting exercise,” said Justice Odoki, who is also a retired Chief Justice of Uganda.