County assembly speakers from Kitui, Machakos and Makeni have pledged to popularise the South Eastern Kenya Economic Bloc championed by the three counties.
After holding its is inaugural meeting on Thursday at the Kitui county assembly, the committee said it was time to sensitise residents about the regional bloc and its benefits.
They also agreed to fast-track a joint consultative meeting between the SEKEB summit and the joint assemblies committee to foster unity and establish coherence for fast-tracking of the regional economic agenda.
The committee is composed of the various speakers of the three county assemblies, majority and minority leaders, a man and a woman from each member county assembly and chairpersons of the various budget committee of the member county assembly.
Makueni county assembly speaker Douglas Mbilo was elected the committee's first chairman. Speakers Kevin Kinengo Katisya (Kitui) and Ann Kiusya of Machakos were present.
The chairmanship will be held on a rotational basis amongst the three counties for a period of one year.
Speaking after the inaugural meeting, Mbilo said the committee is committed to delivering on its functions including undertaking the link role between Sekeb and the respective county assemblies.
"We will also study and review all policies and proposed legislation relating to Sekeb and facilitating oversight and representation,"Mbilo said.
With the budget-making process underway, the committee promised to ensure adequate budgetary allocation in the 2024/2025 financial year.
“In order to fully involve the people of the region and foster the spirit of ownership, this committee also resolves to undertake public sensitisation programme within the counties,"Mbilo said.
