President William Ruto will on Saturday officially open the 14th edition of the East African Community (EAC) inter-parliamentary sports games.
The games, being staged in Mombasa, starts December 6-18.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula confirmed Friday at the Nairobi SGR Terminus in an address to the media before departing for the coastal city.
“Tomorrow, His Excellency the President will be coming to officially open the games,” he said.
Wetang’ula and a delegation of MPs who are set to participate in various sporting activities are using the train as part of the cost-cutting measures.
“We did consciously decide as parliament that to join the rest of Kenyans in observing austerity measures set in place set in place by His excellency we will cut down on our costs of air freight by going on to the SGR train led by yours truly,” he stated.
At least 3,500 MPs and their support staff from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia and DR Congo are expected in the county.
Wetang’ula who is the President of the Bureau of EAC Speakers also confirmed that all the Speakers of parliaments from the other seven member states will attend.
“I am the principal host and all the speakers from the region are joining us.”
He added that he has also invited all the governors from the coastal region to join them in the event.
Wetang’ula at the same time gave an update about the preparations for the games noting “all my members are upbeat, ready to go and bring trophies...but more importantly, these games are not a do or die for our teams.”
Highlighting the significance of the competition, the Speaker pointed out that it helps to widen, deepen and tighten the EAC engagement by the people of East Africa.
“Apart from going to play in various disciplines, are also going to be our goodwill ambassadors to fraternize with our colleagues in the region, to engage in knowing that the legislative programs we have in the region must be able to harmonise our interests, and spur the growth of our region economically in achieving our monetary union, our free movement of people, goods, and services, our common customs union, and eventually political federation of our region,” he explained.
About six venues will be used for the games with more venues for training identified for the eight sports disciplines including football, netball, volleyball, basketball, darts, athletics, tug-of-war and golf.
