National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called on the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and parliaments across the region to rise to the occasion by translating regional policies into laws and supporting projects capable of transforming the East African Community (EAC).

Wetang’ula made the remarks at the 21st Meeting of the East African Community (EAC) Bureau of Speakers in Arusha, Tanzania, where he reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to regional unity, integration and economic prosperity.

Speaker Wetang’ula said EALA members should continue to be drawn from and maintained by the respective sovereign parliaments of member states.

“EALA should not be left to weaken or look irrelevant. EALA is important in the cog of the wheel of the East African Community,” Wetang’ula said.

He said Kenya was ready to host speakers from across the region to deliberate on measures to strengthen EALA and provide advice to Heads of State on maintaining its relevance in regional integration and development.

Wetang’ula also called for collective efforts to safeguard peace and security in East Africa, warning that instability in one member state affects the entire region.

“Any country in the region with instability means all of us will remain unstable. Any member state with a threat means we are all threatened,” he said.

He welcomed Somalia’s adoption of a new Constitution, saying member states would support the country’s political, economic and social development as it moves towards normalcy.

Wetang’ula said Kenya was also pursuing major economic investments as it seeks to advance from a middle-income economy towards a developed country.

He cited infrastructure, industrialisation and education under the country’s “Highway to Singapore” slogan, including major investments in energy, transport and manufacturing.

He said the proposed Dangote Lamu oil refinery, valued at Sh2 trillion, would be among the region’s largest investments and create more than 60,000 jobs for people across East Africa.

Dr. Wetang’ula also highlighted the Standard Gauge Railway and dual carriageway linking Mombasa to Malaba, saying improved transport infrastructure would facilitate trade across the region.

He further said Kenya was pursuing nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, with the electricity generated expected to benefit other EAC member states as regional cooperation deepens.

During the high-level engagement, the Bureau of Speakers resolved that Kenya will host an Extraordinary Meeting of the Bureau of EAC Speakers alongside the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on October 29, 2026.

The Speakers also agreed that the 16th Edition of the EAC Inter-Parliamentary Games will take place over 12 days, from December 4 to December 15, 2026.

On behalf of Kenya, Wetang’ula expressed enthusiasm about welcoming delegates and parliamentary representatives from across the partner states, reaffirming the country’s commitment to building a more integrated, united and prosperous East African Community.