East African Legislative Assembly, Arusha, Tanzania, June 18, 2016: The EAC stands to gain immensely through an enhanced people- centred approach and driven integration. In this regard, the legal fraternity should and can play a key role in sensitizing citizens on the integration process, EALA Speaker, Rt. Hon Daniel Fred Kidega has said.
The
Speaker made the remarks in Arusha when he met with representatives of
the East Africa Law Society (EALS) at the Speaker’s Chambers. The
delegation paid the EALA Speaker a courtesy call to introduce the
incoming Chief Executive Officer, Mr John Patrick Okoth.
The
EALA Speaker told the regional law society officials to take a lead
role in bringing the legal fraternity and the civil society to speed on
matters of regional integration. The Speaker challenged EALS to work
with Partner States to ensure speedy realization of approximation of
national laws to the Community Acts. He cited the full implementation
of the Common Market Protocol as another area that should fully interest
the legal fraternity. The Speaker further said it was important for
EALS to spread its tentacles to the Republic of South Sudan, given its
recent admission into the regional bloc.
The
Team: EALA Speaker, Rt Hon Daniel Fred Kidega (Second from right) and
the EALS CEO, John Patrick Okoth flanked by Brenda Dosio, Programme
Officer, Legal and Policy Analysis (left) and Lydia Taima Munganyinka,
Program Assistant, Public Interest and Litigation.
“We
need to enhance a symbiotic relationship between the legislative body
and yourselves and to consult every so often on matters of legislation
that improve the lives of East Africans,” Rt. Hon Kidega said. He said
the Assembly would work closely with the EALS to ensure outstanding
issues in the EAC Cross Border Legal Practice Bill, 2014 were addressed.
In attendance were EALS’ Programme Officers, Ms. Brenda Dosio and Ms Lydia Taima Munganyinka.
The
EALS CEO, John Patrick Okoth reiterated the regional law society had
intensified its efforts in strengthening the integration process through
advocacy around the EAC. He maintained this would be done while holding
Partner States to account on matters of good governance, rule of law
and human rights in accordance with the EAC Treaty. Mr Okoth said EALS
was ready for active and productive engagement with EALA and other
stakeholders.
The meeting between the EALA Speaker and the EALS CEO yesterday
On
her part, Ms Brenda Dosio, Programme Officer, Legal and Policy
Analysis, said EALS would soon be reviewing its Strategic Plan to
strengthen the institution and make it more robust, while Lydia Taima
Munganyinka Programme Assistant, Public Interest Litigation, lauded the
Assembly for the role it continues to play in the integration process.
EALS
has in the recent past referenced a number of applications before the
East African Court of Justice (EACJ). The recent cases include
Reference No. 1 of 2011 of The East Africa Law Society Vs The Secretary
General of the East African Community challenging certain provisions in
the Common Market Protocol that according to EALS, purport to oust the
jurisdiction of the EACJ. Another case pits The East Africa Law Society
Vs The Attorney General of the Republic of Uganda and the Secretary
General of the East African Community and concerns what the Society
calls human rights violations in Uganda during the ‘Walk to Work’
processions. A third case relates to the rendition of Kenyan citizens to
Uganda with a view to defining the legal environment for combating
transboundary crimes.
EALA
Speaker, Rt Hon Daniel Fred Kidega presents EALA publications to the
incoming CEO of the EALS, John Patrick Okoth during a brief ceremony at
the Speaker’s Chambers. EALS is the premier bar association in the
region.
Mr
John Patrick Okoth who joined the EALS this month, has a rich
background in both law and diplomacy. He is a former Deputy Ambassador
of Kenya to the Netherlands and the Czech Republic. He was once
Principal State Counsel in the State Law Office and the Department of
Justice, in the Republic of Kenya. Within the diplomatic circles, Mr
Okoth is fondly remembered at the Hague for his able handling of the
renegotiations of the Treaty Establishing the Common Fund for
Commodities among other accomplishments.
Mr
Okoth who replaces Mr Tito Byenkya, is expected to steer the
Secretariat of the regional bar association, as it redefines its role
within the region through the development of a new Strategic Plan for
the organization.
The
organization headquartered in Arusha, is largest organized
professional/ civil society dual membership organization in the region
with a strong mandate and interest in the professional development of
its members. Its membership spans to over thirteen thousand. The bar
associations include the Burundi Bar Association (BBA), Kigali Bar
Association (KBA), Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Tanganyika Law Society
(TLS), Uganda Law Society (ULS) and the Zanzibar Law Society. EALS
enjoys an observer status at the EAC.
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