Kibaki out again

Mwai Kibaki leaves for Arusha, Tanzania later Thursday for a three-day official tour during which he will attend the 11th Summit of the Heads of State of the East African Community.

The plane carrying the President and his entourage departs Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly before 4.00 pm.

President Kibaki will also join other EAC Heads of State in commemorating the 10th anniversary of the East African Community and signing of the protocol establishing the EAC Common Market.

The Summit of the EAC Heads of State will receive and adopt various drafts including a report on the way forward on the establishment of the EAC Political Federation and EAC Kigali Retreat recommendations.

Other agenda for the Summit includes consideration and adoption of a report on the finalization of the negotiations on the Protocol for the Establishment of the East African Community Common Market.

The EAC Heads of State are also expected to lay the foundation stone marking the commencement of the construction works of the EAC Headquarters building.

The host, President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, President Kibaki, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and President Pierre Nkurunziza of Burundi will attend the Summit. H.E. Amani Abeid Karume, President of Zanzibar is also expected to attend.

Tomorrow afternoon and as part of the EAC 10th anniversary celebrations, the EAC Heads of State will address the public at Sheikh Abeid Stadium in Arusha and award trophies to winners of the EAC 10th Anniversary Football Competition.

The Summit is the highest organ of the East African Community and gives general directions and impetus for the development and achievement of the objectives of the Community.