Wetangula Pushes for Changes to Winnie Odinga Position in EALA

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula now wants the East African Legislators Assembly (EALA) to be voted in by electorates from their member countries. 

While speaking at the Speakers Bureau Conference in Juba on Friday, November 17, Wetangula called for a push in the election process of EALA.

As it is now, EALA MPs are selected by the Parliament of the respective East African Community member states after being nominated by their respective parties.

“In the spirit of enhanced integration of the East African Community, we need to consider, positively, a change in the mode of election of EALA legislators,” said Wetang’ula.

The Speaker added that involving voters in the election of EALA MPs will help create a better understanding of the regional bloc and the lawmakers’ roles. 

“This suffrage election will enable candidates for the EALA seats to vigorously traverse the region as they campaign, enabling local people to understand the roles of the Regional Assembly and the importance of the EAC integration,” added Speaker Wetang’ula.

Furthermore, he called for an integration of the East Africa Community (EAC) meeting of Speakers.

The EAC Speakers’ Bureau was established in 2008 with a mandate to set up a functional working relationship between and among the Speakers of five partner States. Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, and South Sudan.

The formation of the Bureau was aimed at enhancing the role of the respective National Legislatures in the EAC integration agenda.

Currently, nine Kenyans were appointed to EALA’s 5th assembly, and they will serve from 2022 to 2027.

Notable figures among them are Raila Odinga’s daughter Winnie Odinga, and Kalonzo Musyoka’s son, Kennedy Kalonzo Musyoka.

Others are former Kieni MP Kanini Kega, entrepreneur Shahbal Sueliman, former Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar, David Ole Sankok and Falhada Iman Dekow.