This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
On December 10, 2019, Justin Muturi, the Speaker of Kenya's National Assembly, took over as the Chair of the Bureau of the East African Community Speakers Forum.
He succeeded Burundi's Pascal Nyabenda, who handed over the position during the Forum's 13th annual meeting in Kampala, Uganda.
The chairmanship is rotational, with the chairman serving for one year.
Mr. Muturi expressed his gratitude for the honor, saying, "I have to express my thanks and gratitude to this pleasant surprise and the honour that you have bestowed on me."
South Sudan's National Assembly Speaker Anthony Lino Makana was initially expected to take over, but he did not attend the meeting as he had resigned from office the previous week.
South Sudan and Rwanda did not send delegations to the meeting, with Uganda's Speaker of the National Assembly Rebecca Kadaga noting that the East African Community faces challenges due to member states skipping activities.
Ms. Kadaga added that despite the absence of some members, those present should find solutions to the issues affecting the community.
