East Africa Legislative Assembly pushes for use of common currency

By Joseph Masha   

Kenya: Members of the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) are pushing for the introduction and use of common currency in the region.

The members said use of the common currency for Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi would easily integrate the countries.

Led by EALA Speaker Zziwa Nantongo Margaret from Uganda, the members made the remarks when they met Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi Monday at Baobab Beach Hotel in Kilifi during their official tour in Kenya.

The speaker said their tour to Kenya and visits to counties like Mombasa and Kilifi was to enhance their oversight role in monitoring development projects meant to integrate the five countries.

Great achievement

“Use of common currency for the five countries under the East African Community (EAC) will be a great achievement in uniting the nations and the people,” said Dr Margaret.

The members further said there was need to allow citizens in the five countries to be able to move freely in the region and work in member countries without being forced to get work permits.

They said EAC citizens need to conduct their trade within the region without any hurdles to make the common market protocol pillar to be anchored.

Kingi, who is a former member of EALA, said the assembly had a heavy task and urged members to work together to overcome the challenges.

He said earlier plans for EAC was to bind together activities touching the five countries and said the assembly had to move a step ahead and include Kenya’s counties.

The governor said the creation of devolved government following the passing of the new Constitution should not be seen as a stumbling block for EALA to pass laws which will easily integrate the countries.

“The East African Community main agenda was to bring together the five states touching on different fields, including the introduction of common currency, to enable people to move into any country and work without problems. But in Kenya we have county governments and this system of governance should not discourage the assembly from making laws to unite the nations,” said Kingi.

The members further said they were pushing for the political federation for the five counties to have a proper political wing for EAC.