President William Ruto has urged leaders within the East African Community (EAC) to unite their efforts to fully harness the region’s potential.
Kenya’s Head of State emphasized that this can be achieved through prompt and decisive measures to eliminate trade obstacles, expand regional markets, and enhance connectivity to unlock new opportunities.
President Ruto made this appeal while officiating the opening ceremony of the 14th East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games on Saturday, December 7, 2024, in Mombasa City.
He encouraged collaboration to strengthen bonds, deepen integration, and ensure the EAC remains a formidable regional bloc.
“Together, we can accomplish remarkable outcomes for our people. Let us transform the EAC into a powerhouse driving Africa’s economic resurgence and positioning the continent as a frontrunner in the next phase of global progress,” he stated.
Ruto, who also recently assumed the role of Chairperson of the Summit of EAC Heads of State, reiterated his commitment to upholding the principles outlined in the EAC Treaty, which unify and bind the region’s people.
“These principles focus on bolstering cooperation, encouraging trade and investment, and improving the living standards of East Africans,” he added.
The president highlighted the importance of the inter-parliamentary games, describing them as a representation of core values such as unity, teamwork, collaboration, healthy competition, and shared ambitions.
The Speaker of Uganda’s Parliament, Anita Among, proposed the establishment of a Speakers’ Bureau as a formal organ of the EAC.
“The speakers have unanimously agreed on the need to be included in the EAC Protocol. The East African Legislative Assembly should enact a law to formalize the inclusion of speakers in the protocol,” she remarked.
Accompanied by Speakers and Members of Parliament from partner states, President Ruto led a procession through the city to ceremonially launch the games, which will run until December 18, 2024.
The games, organized under the theme “EAC 25: Fostering Integration through Inter-Parliamentary Games”, include disciplines such as football, netball, volleyball, basketball, tug of war, darts, golf, and athletics.
