Kenya committed to EAC treaty says Kibaki

Written By:PPS,    Posted: Wed, Aug 10, 2011

President Mwai Kibaki receives the Secretary General of the East African Community Secretariat Ambassador Dr Richard Sezibera who paid him a courtesy at Harambee House office, Nairobi. President Mwai Kibaki has assured that his government is committed to timely implementation of the East African Community (EAC) integration process deadlines as outlined in the community's treaty. President Kibaki made the remarks Wednesday when he held discussions with visiting EAC Secretary General Dr Richard Sezibera who paid a courtesy call on him at the Harambee House Office. The Head of State reiterated that the benefits accruing from adherence to the integration timetable as outlined in the EAC treaty were evident to partners States and hence the need to fast track remaining phases to achieve full integration. He noted that there was need for partner States to speedily move and harmonise their monetary and fiscal arrangements to pave way for the establishment of the Monetary Union as the deadline approaches. Assuring the EAC Secretary General of support to succeed in his responsibilities, President Kibaki noted that there was need for continuous programmes to create broad-based awareness on the EAC integration process among wananchi. Dr Sezibera said that the realization of a single Customs territory, making the Common Market work, achieving a Monetary Union, infrastructure development and industrialization were key areas of priority in the integration process. He noted that there was need to tackle non tariff barriers and to consolidate the implementation of the Customs Union and especially the formation of a single Customs territory to maximize benefits to the citizens of the region. Dr Sezibera recognized the very strict deadlines on the establishment of the Monetary Union calling for the need to put emphasis on making sure that partner States reach agreement to deliver the Monetary Union as scheduled. During the meeting he affirmed that despite concentrating on key priorities of the integration process, the EAC secretariat would not lose focus on involving the people of East Africa in the integration process particularly the youth, women, civil society, private sector, government officials and the general public. In attendance were Minister for East African Community Prof Helen Sambili, Assistant Minister Peter Munya, Head of Public Service and Secretary to the Cabinet Amb. Francis Muthaura, EAC Permanent Secretary David Nalo and Acting Foreign Affairs PS Patrick Wamoto. The EAC Secretary General was accompanied by Deputy Secretaries in-charge of Administration and Finance and Planning and Infrastructure Messrs Julius Rotich and Enos Bukuku respectively.