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{
    "id": 582164,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/582164/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 369,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Kajuju",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 840,
        "legal_name": "Florence Kajuju",
        "slug": "florence-kajuju"
    },
    "content": "various meetings and tripartite summits that were held between our various heads of State between Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Various meetings were held in the different capitals of the three partner states. That, therefore, culminated into this particular protocol and pact. Hon. Deputy Speaker, the benefits of this protocol and pact that we are seeking to ratify today are going to obligate the partner states to jointly undertake to combat crimes and ensure the safety of their people and safeguard development of member countries against instability that might come with the new development initiatives that we are experiencing within the East African partner States. When you look at the Report, you will find that we have also submitted the various submissions that were made by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, the Ministry of the East African Affairs and the State Law Office that was able to guide us on the particular issues that can arise in as far as the ratification of the protocol and the pact are concerned. It is important to note in the protocol that the objectives of the Community shall be to develop policies and programmes that are aimed at widening and deepening co-operation among the partner States. That is a very key area because that is the vision and the mission of the East African Community on the way that we intend to go as the partner States. In looking at the various issues that were brought before the Committee, we were able to ask ourselves as to where else within the African continent and in the world we have had these kind of protocols being ratified by various agreements that have happened. We did international comparisons. One of those we looked at is the ECOWAS peace agreement that was signed by the West African States - ECOWAS having been established in 1975. When we looked at it, we found that within the West African partner states; they have been able to pass security protocols. One of them was in 1978 and it brought together the region and ensured that there is peace-keeping and security mechanisms within the West African states. This is not sui generis; it is not just one area that applies to East Africa. It is something that has happened within the other continents too. That is why we looked at the West African states. We also looked at the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union. They have been able also to come together within the United Nations and look at how best they can ensure that there is peace and security within their territories. We thought that within the East African Community, going the same route is going to ensure that there is better integration and more security and peace within the countries. It is also worthy of note that the Cabinet has already approved the East African Protocol on Peace and Security and was submitted to Parliament for ratification. That is why we are asking that this House considers what is before us today. It is also important to note that even as we ratify this particular document, it is not going to interfere with the Constitution of Kenya because it will not need to be harmonized in any way. Neither is it going to contravene or be inconsistent with any of the laws that have been passed in this country so far. As a Committee, we have made general observations in as far as the pact and the protocol is concerned. We felt even as a Committee, it is important for us to secure countries from threats. Begging from history, as early as in the Roman period, security was regarded as the absence of distress upon which happy life depends. However, presently, most conflicts are civil in nature. They are associated with terrorism which, in the present globalised world, is a threat to the national security of any one state. Therefore, it becomes imperative that we deal with these issues at this point in time. It is also necessary that after the passage of this protocol and pact, we The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}