Kenya demands fair play in EAC as MPs slam member states over unpaid dues
Members of the National Assembly Committee on Regional Integration have raised the alarm over what they describe as the persistent failure by some East African Community (EAC) member states to meet their financial obligations—a situation they say is threatening the bloc’s operations and weakening regional unity.
During a high-level engagement with the State Department for East African Community Affairs on Friday, June 6, 2025, MPs expressed frustration over Kenya’s continued commitment to funding the EAC, while other member states lag behind—delays that are now impacting essential functions, including the timely payment of salaries for EAC staff.
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The lawmakers called for stronger enforcement mechanisms within the EAC framework to ensure compliance.
Karachuonyo MP Okuome Adipo raised an alarm over trade disruptions affecting Kenyan fishermen.
“Kenyans are facing serious challenges when it comes to fishing in Lake Victoria. Can you ensure seamless trade with Uganda?” he asked.
EALA reports
MPs were reacting to reports from the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), which painted a concerning picture of financial instability within the regional bloc.
The Committee pressed for stronger enforcement mechanisms to ensure partner states meet their financial commitments. Some members even suggested that repeat defaulters should face sanctions—or, in extreme cases, be suspended or expelled from the community.
Committee Chairperson Irene Mayaka challenged the State Department to provide clear legal pathways to resolve the crisis.
“What is the best way forward according to EAC laws and policies to handle the issues the EAC is grappling with?” she posed.
Way forward
Responding to the concerns, Principal Secretary for the EAC Caroline Karugo acknowledged the difficulties facing the regional body and assured the Committee that the matter was receiving attention at the highest levels.
“I am optimistic that we shall have a way forward for the vibrancy of the Community,” she said.
Dr Karugo also emphasised the importance of looking beyond contributions and addressing other factors stalling regional growth.
The MPs backed a proposal to allow individual member states to pay the salaries of their own seconded staff to EAC institutions directly—a move they said could ease pressure on the Community’s central budget.
However, they insisted that this would require treaty amendments to ensure fairness and protect financially compliant states like Kenya from bearing an undue burden.
