EAC market protocol

President Mwai Kibaki has called for extensive sensitization campaigns among public servants from the five East African Community members as a foundation of ensuring the success of the regional body.

President Kibaki said that it is extremely important to harmonize the mental framework of public servants in the region as a vital cog to the regional integration process.

The Head of State made the remarks Friday when he held discussions with the East African Community Secretary General Amb Juma Mwapachu who paid a courtesy call at the Harambee House Office.

President Kibaki said Kenya fully supports the East African common market protocol that comes into force next month.

Under the protocol there will be free movement of goods, services, labour and capital within the five member states.

Kenya has begun the process of harmonizing its local laws to be in tandem with the requirements of the protocol.

President Kibaki said there was need to both celebrate and consolidate the common market achievements and also lay the ground for the monetary union.

Commending the EAC Secretariat for spearheading the integration process the President reiterated that the establishment of a monetary union with a single currency will be a significant moment in the EAC integration process.

During the meeting President Kibaki commended the regional body for assembling a team of observers to monitor the Burundi general elections.

The team of observers comprises of legislators from EAC members states.

The President said that the member states stood in solidarity with the people of Burundi and would abide by the outcome of the democratic process.

During the meeting it was agreed there was also need to step up measures to preserve the waters of Lake Victoria and to prevent pollution of the regional water mass.

The meeting was attended by Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura, PS East African Community David Nalo, Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi and other senior government officials.