KIGALI - The Kenyan Prime Minister, Raila Odinga has said that there should not be any kind of row over which country should take up the job of the Secretary General of the East African Community.

Odinga made the remarks, speaking to reporters, after meeting with President Paul Kagame at Urugwiro Village yesterday.

"The Secretary General is not representing any particular country. He is going to be the servant of the people of East Africa and that is why there should not be any kind of tag of war over this issue,” Odinga said.

"Kenya had the first Secretary General followed by Uganda and now Tanzania; I myself see no reason why a Rwandan can not be Secretary General… this is an issue which should not create any kind of tension within the community.”

Lately, there have been several reports suggesting that Kenya is vying to occupy the post, although, Article 76 of the EAC Treaty, stipulates that the Secretary General shall be appointed by an EAC summit upon nomination by the relevant Heads of State, under the principle of rotation.

Kenya was the first to occupy the post followed by Uganda and Tanzania, whose candidate’s mandate expires this year.

Meanwhile, President Kagame also received, at Village Urugwiro, the Prime Minister of Togo, Gilbert Houngbo, and that of Gabon, Paul Biyoghe Mba, where they discussed issues related to cooperation, as well as how their countries can work closely with Rwanda in capacity building.

The President also received M. Mohammed Ouziine, the Moroccan Secretary of State in charge of foreign affairs and cooperation.

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