Ruto urges East African Law Society to strengthen regional rule of law
By Cy Muganda, January 14, 2026President William Ruto has called on the East African Law Society (EALS) to strengthen its institutional capacity to support regional integration and uphold the rule of law across the East African Community.
In a statement posted on his X account on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, Ruto disclosed that he had met the Society’s Council at State House, Nairobi, led by its President Ramadhan Abubakar Mukira, to discuss the evolving role of legal practitioners within the region.
“Met the East African Law Society Council, led by President Ramadhan Abubakar Mukira, at State House, Nairobi,” Ruto stated.
Stronger regional body
Ruto emphasised the need to build a stronger, more resilient regional legal institution capable of responding to the demands of deeper integration while aligning with global standards.
“We must continue strengthening it to meet international standards and to grow into a mature institution that transcends individuals and serves future generations,” Ruto stated.
Regional integration progress
Ruto noted that legal practice within the East African Community is changing in tandem with regional integration, pointing to the Common Market Protocol, which allows for the free movement of legal services and the mutual recognition of legal qualifications.
“Legal practice in the East African Community continues to evolve as regional integration deepens, with the Common Market Protocol enabling the free movement of legal services and mutual recognition of legal qualifications,” he said.
According to Ruto, the regional body reaffirmed its commitment to advancing cross-border commerce, strengthening governance, and offering legal guidance on key regional policies.
“The Society reaffirmed its commitment to supporting cross-border commerce, promoting the rule of law, and providing legal guidance on the region’s key policies,” Ruto stated.
Regional rule of law challenges
His remarks come amid ongoing concerns over barriers facing lawyers seeking to practice across borders within the EAC.
In January 2025, Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa raised alarm over difficulties in obtaining temporary practising licences, citing the challenges faced by PLP Leader Martha Karua while seeking to represent Ugandan opposition figure Dr Kizza Besigye before a military court.
“Issuance of special practising certificates to facilitate cross-border legal practice, however, should not be such a frustrating process after so many years of EAC integration, where there should be free movement of People, goods and services, including legal services,” Wamalwa stated at the time.
“It’s about time We pushed for the Fast tracking of the signing of the Mutual Recognition Agreements for Advocates qualification by EAC Memberc States and for passing of the necessary bills by the East African Bunge to streamline the legal framework and remove unnecessary bottlenecks for cross-border practice to avoid the frustration and embarrassment that Senior Counsel and former Minister for Justice of the Republic of Kenya Martha Karua and other lawyers in the region are going through,” he added.