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{
    "id": 733952,
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    "content": "There are people in this Committee who are well versed in matters of the Community and I know that they will do a good job. As they do a job in drafting and crafting regulations for elections, let them take into account the recent experience in Uganda because Uganda is seen to be one step ahead of us in electing Members of the EALA. When President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni addressed the National Assembly of Uganda, he said that the rules must be such that---. I hope Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr. who is a Member of my Committee will take this into account. When you craft some of these regulations, you should ensure you know the character of the people being elected. The Treaty that establishes the East African Community (EAC) says that those elected must reflect the national parliaments. President Museveni said that in all the three states, the tendency has been to elect people who go to the EALA just to earn a living. Maybe such people could have been active in Kenya and were not able to be elected to the national parliament or be given any job anywhere and the opportunity comes. So, they go there to earn a living yet what we require in the EALA is not just people who go there to earn a living but people who have a commitment and a vision for East African integration. Therefore, Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, when they craft the regulations, they should ensure that the people who go there have a commitment to the integration of East Africa. In as much as this Senate is a Senate which represents county governments, people who present themselves for elections as Senators must be committed to devolution. In that sense, people who are to be elected to the EALA must be committed to closer political, economic and social integration of East Africa. They should be people who are prepared to be the voice East Africans. When my Committee went round East Africa, I noticed that the people of East Africa want unity but all of them stated that the problem lies in our leaders who still want 21 guns salute or this or that job and think that they will lose a few of their powers and privileges in the wider Community. So, the only institution within East Africa which can push the wishes of the people of East Africa is the EALA. I wish the Committee good speed in coming up with good regulations on this matter and making our role as Senate in that process very clear. With those few remarks, I second this particular Motion."
}