EAC lawmakers wrap up sessions in Kenya

EAC regional lawmakers officially ended their two-week parliamentary sessions in Nairobi on Friday after passing five bills and adopted key resolution urging transfer of the International Criminal Court (ICC) case to the regional court. During the deliberations, members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) asked a number of priority questions on matters relevant to the Community and sought for answers from the East Africa Community (EAC) Council of Ministers.It was the last but one sitting of the Second Assembly which is credited with passing over 40 pieces of legislation during their five-year period.A statement issued at the end of the meeting said the last session is scheduled for Arusha in May-June. “EALA is expected to swear in members of the third assembly on June 5. A number of legislators including the Speaker Abdirahin Abdi shall be stepping down when their mandate ends,” the statement said. The Nairobi sitting passed five important bills and moved a key resolution imploring the ICC to transfer the cases of Kenyan politicians who are accused of crimes related to the 2007/8 post-election violence to the East African Court of Justice.