Members of Parliament have criticized certain East African Community (EAC) member states for not honoring their financial commitments.
During a meeting held on June 6 in Mombasa, the National Assembly Committee on Regional Integration engaged with the State Department for EAC to review reports from the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
The lawmakers warned that the failure of some member states to meet their financial commitments is undermining the effective operation of the East African Community (EAC), including delays in paying staff salaries.
During the meeting, MPs questioned why Kenya consistently meets its obligations on time, while other member states fail to do so.
The MPs also expressed frustration over the limited benefits Kenya receives in return for consistently honoring its financial commitments to the EAC.
They urged the establishment of an enforcement mechanism within the EAC framework to ensure that all member states meet their obligations.
During the meeting, lawmakers proposed that member states that consistently fail to meet their financial obligations should face penalties—and possibly even expulsion from the East African Community (EAC) if necessary.
The committee expressed support for a proposal allowing each member country to pay EAC staff salaries directly, as a way to address ongoing payment delays.
MPs also emphasized the need to amend the EAC treaty to ensure that countries like Kenya, which meet their financial obligations, are treated fairly and not placed at a disadvantage.
Dr. Caroline Karugu, the Principal Secretary for the EAC, acknowledged the severity of the issue. She noted that the matter is under discussion at the highest levels within the EAC and assured that efforts are underway to ensure all member states fulfill their financial responsibilities for the 2024/25 fiscal year.
