Kenya set for EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games in Mombasa

Preparations are at an advanced stage for Kenya to host the 14th series of the East African Community (EAC) Inter-Parliamentary games in Mombasa.

A joint planning committee led by East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega tour the facilities that will host the games to assess the level of preparedness ahead of the games slated for December 6th-18th 2024.

Some of the facilities earmarked to host the games and for training are the KPA Mbaraki Sports Club, Aga Khan Academy, Mombasa Sports Club, Nyali Golf Club, Shanzu Teachers Training College, Sheikh Zayed, KPA Highlife and Mombasa ASK Showground.

Kega said all the eight EAC partner states Parliaments including Somalia will participate in Athletics, Football, Basketball, Tug of War, PWD Darts and Golf.

The games will foster integration and unity in the EAC bloc and Kenya will benefit from tourism as more than 1500 legislators and assembly staff will visit Mombasa.

“We are here as a preparatory team to check on the preparedness of Kenya to host the 14th International Parliamentary Games which will be held here in Mombasa. This is a rotational function because last year we were in Kigali, Rwanda and the performance was superb.

“The essence of these inter-parliamentary games is not just to compete against each other. It is about to integrate our people.

"We are living within the EAC and there is no other better way of integrating our people other than sports,” Kega said.

Kega challenged Kenya to do better than the Republic of Rwanda.

“We are happy the preparedness is to the level we expected and we believe it will be better than last year,” he said.

He said they would like to have many participants but since many countries are grappling with cash flow,  the games will remain the same and more will be incorporated in the future.

“At the moment the games that we are participating in are sufficient but we anticipate to accommodate more people,” EALA MP said.

“We need to do more games that are not physical such as golf, chess, badminton, table tennis and swimming. Those are some of the considerations that will be done,” Kega said.

Kega challenged the National and County Governments to invest in sporting facilities as most of the games will be hosted in private facilities.

Chairman of the National Assembly Bunge Sports Club Vincent Musyoka said preparations are on top gear to make the Kenya edition memorable.

He said the playgrounds need renovation in the future not when they are set to host events.

The security will be enhanced with the County Inspectorate working with the National Police Service.