As the debate on exploring the possibility of having a president for the East African region gains momentum, foreign affairs experts on Tuesday, May 23, warned against the move, arguing it was premature.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, political analyst Herman Manyora maintained that there are other urgent matters that need to be addressed by East African Community (EAC) states before the issue of regional president.
“We have a long way to go before we can think of having a single Head of State for the region. The matter of regional president should be last on agenda after looking at enhanced trade, common language, open boundaries for market and common currency,” he explained.
Manyora maintained that it may take years for the region to have a common leader, arguing that it was a political matter that called for extra ordinary steps from each member state.
He added that the move requires a harmonized constitution for the region, to act as a guide for the process.
The same view was shared by political expert and Broadcasting & Telecommunications Principal Secretary Prof Edward Kisiang’ani, who maintained that the region needed to address other urgent issues first.
“It may take more time for the region to have a common leader this but it is good idea that can enhance regional integration,” stated Kisiang’ani.
Kisiang’ani explained that managing a political outfit for the region was not easy, citing examples of political intrigues facing political parties in the country.
This was after constitutional experts from the East African States on Monday, May 22, gathered in Nairobi to collect views and opinions from Kenyans on having a regional Head of State.
The experts meeting in Nairobi was aimed at strengthening East African Community that was formed in 1997.
Speaking during the meeting, Dr. Benjamin Odoki RT Chief Justice of Uganda suggested that a regional Head of State may be a current president or a former president of a member State.
“For any person to initiate plans of leading the East African political federation, he/she must have served as a president in the region,” Odoki stated.
Other proposals during the Monday meeting included; inclusion of more youth to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) parliament, existence of a common language in the region, a common currency and harmonization of tax laws.
Nairobi County Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri who was also present during the meeting, called on all leaders in the country and the region to support the initiative.
Muchiri explained that Kenya had continued with internal discussions on pushing the agenda for the East African Community.
On her part, Makueni County deputy governor Lucy Mulili, suggested that all counties need to be fairly represented in the initiative.
Other leaders present during the Nairobi meeting insisted that the East African federation will not lead to the dissolution of the sovereign states in the region.
In October 2022, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni’s son Muhoozi Kainerugaba came under criticism when he tweeted about invading Nairobi.
This led to an uproar, with Gen Kainerugaba being accused of making reckless statements and denting relations between Kenya and Uganda.
