New Eala rules to trim Speaker's powers

The East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) on Wednesday adopted new Rules of Procedure which partly trim the Speaker’s powers. Under the new rules, the Speaker will now take vital matters to the Eala Commission instead of making a unilateral decision. The Speaker may also be expeditiously removed upon a resolution of the House instead of a week as was the case previously. The censure motion can be tabled in the Assembly within 24 hours of its receipt by the Clerk. It can then be referred to the Committee on Legal Rules and Privileges which investigates and reports the findings to the House. The new rules will come into force in March, during the fifth meeting of the third Eala session. Also amended was the rule on Speaker’s election which specifies that a Speaker can be elected by two thirds majority of the House. In the event that there is a sole candidate, he or she must – unlike before – face a secret ballot rather than going through automatically. The House shall subject the candidature to approval through the secret ballot in a move aimed at ensuring the will of the House is realised. In the past, a sole candidate would automatically be declared elected. Another key amendment is with regards to rule 13 on quorum. Quorum shall constitute half of the elected members that include at least a third of the elected members from each partner state. The Seat of Eala was retained as Arusha. The amendments form part of the report of the Legal Rules and Privileges’ Committee adopted on Wednesday. It was presented by MP Peter Mathuki (Kenya) who was on Tuesday elected as the Chair of the Legal Rules and Privileges Committee. Mathuki’s report was compiled in Kigali, last November, during the four-day technical working session that came up with the revised Rules of Procedure. The latest review of the rules started seven years ago. MPs said the new rules would ensure that the House’s activities follow clear procedures. Judith Pareno (Kenya) said: “We want the powers to be shared and not necessarily weaken the Speakership – but, again, we need smooth running of the House.” Bernard Mulengani (Uganda) said the rules were intended to build leaders and not rulers. At some point, Susan Nakawuki (Uganda) attempted to present a minority report contrary to the Committee Report, prompting new Speaker Daniel Kidega to rule against it. Nakawuki’s choice of words seemed to upset other MPs when she said that the House made proposals on the rules at a time when it was “not in a very sober mood” since members had issues with the previous Speaker, Margaret Zziwa, who they eventually removed end last year. Chris Opoka-Okumu (Uganda) noted that MPs were interested in guarding against abuse of power. The rules, first adopted on November 28, 2001, were again amended in the year 2007/2008 due to expanded membership of the Assembly, following the admission of Burundi and Rwanda into the East African Community (EAC). editorial@newtimes.co.rw

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New Eala rules to trim Speaker's powers