Clerks of East African Community (EAC) legislatures have called for financial support to the secretariat of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
Led by Kenyan National Assembly Deputy Clerk Jeremiah Ndombi, the clerks asked member countries to institutionalise support to the EALA Secretariat, saying this will ensure smooth operations.
"The EALA Secretariat is not in a good state now. They require financial and manpower support to be able to effectively serve the regional assembly," said Ndombi.
He added: "Let us not tire in supporting the EALA Secretariat. We should consistently supplement their commendable job".
Ndombi made the remarks when he opened the EAC Clerks meeting at the Emara Ole-Sereni Hotel in Nairobi on Monday.
The meeting served as a routine exercise ahead of the 18th meeting of the Bureau of Speakers of EAC scheduled for Wednesday.
EALA Deputy Clerk John Mutega told the meeting that they had not paid staff salaries for the month of October.
Ndombi noted that his dream is to see one East African state.
He observed that the EAC Speaker's Bureau was key to achieving this goal.
"I would love to see a united EAC that has one anthem that is sung during events that bring the States under one umbrella," he said.
Ndombi thanked his colleagues from member states for the support they have provided to the Speaker's Bureau.
Senate Deputy Clerk Mohamed Ali who represented Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye said it was an honour for Kenya to host the Speaker's Bureau meeting.
He acknowledged the crucial role played by the clerks in pushing the Agenda of the EAC Speakers Bureau.
Clerks, who are technical officers of their respective assemblies, play a key role in preparing the working documents and agenda ahead of the Bureau meeting.
The Bureau of Speakers will bring together Speakers from the National Parliaments, Senates and EALA to discuss critical issues related to regional integration.
The Wednesday meeting will be chaired by Tulia Ackson, Speaker of the Parliament of Tanzania.
Ackson is expected to hand over EAC Speakers Bureau leadership to the host Moses Wetang'ula.
The Bureau of EAC Speakers serves as the primary platform for promoting Parliamentary roles in legislation, oversight, and representation within the region.
It also advises the East African Heads of State Summit on Parliamentary matters.
The Bureau meets annually under the guidance of a rotating Chairperson.
South Sudan hosted the previous meeting.
