MPs demand cost-benefit review of Kenya’s role in EAC
The review, chaired by nominated MP Irene Mayaka, involved consultations with officials from the State Department for EAC Affairs.
Kenya’s Members of Parliament have expressed deep disappointment with the East African Community (EAC), saying the regional bloc is falling short of its intended goals.
During a session reviewing the Committee on Regional Integration’s report on the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), MPs argued that member states often act in their own interests rather than fostering true regional unity.
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The review, chaired by nominated MP Irene Mayaka, involved consultations with officials from the State Department for EAC Affairs.
The MPs emphasised that Kenya has consistently fulfilled its financial commitments, yet some member countries have delayed or failed to make their contributions, leaving the burden unevenly shared.
They highlighted that, despite Kenya’s steady payments, the country is not enjoying sufficient benefits from the partnership.
The MPs noted that the EAC appears increasingly divided, with each nation pursuing separate agendas rather than a cohesive strategy that benefits all members.
Concerns were also raised about human rights within the bloc, citing reports from Tanzania and Uganda where citizens have allegedly faced abductions and torture, and questioning whether the EAC is upholding the values it was meant to protect.
“We must do a proper cost-benefit analysis. We must come up with clear indicators that show how we benefit as a country from this Community,” said Mukurweini MP Kaguchia John.
His remarks demonstrated the urgency for Kenya to evaluate whether its engagement in the EAC delivers measurable returns.
Wajir North MP Ibrahim Saney called for a reassessment of the EAC Treaty, arguing that the framework is no longer effective given the differing political systems, population dynamics, and international priorities of member countries.
“At its inception, the EAC looked good, practical and made sense. Given the diversity in political democracies, demographics, and different foreign relations or inclinations, the EAC is no longer holding us together as it used to,” Saney said.
Ugenya MP David Ochieng added that member states’ unwillingness to share sovereignty continues to hinder the bloc’s development.
MPs stressed that for the EAC to be meaningful, countries must align more closely and ensure that citizens across the region enjoy tangible benefits from regional cooperation.
The debate comes as lawmakers call for greater accountability, clearer performance indicators, and a stronger framework to ensure that Kenya, which remains a consistent contributor, derives real advantages from its membership in the EAC.
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