The tasks ahead of newly appointed EAC principal

Arusha. Strengthening economic and political ties as well as the regional institutions awaits the new East African Community (EAC) secretary general.

Dr Peter Mathuki from Kenya, who was yesterday appointed the new EAC boss, will have to steer the bloc to a new level short of persistent disputes. “I solemnly swear to discharge my duties to the interest of the Community,” affirmed the outspoken Kenyan politician in his oath during the virtual summit.

Until his appointment Dr Mathuki has been the chief executive officer of the East African Business Council (EABC) one of the institutions spearheading economic integration. Before then (2012-2017), he was a Kenyan member of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) during which he was one of the most vocal lawmakers.

The new EAC boss landed in Arusha for the first time 15 years ago when he worked as a consultant for the East African Trade Union Confederation (EATUC), which is affiliated to the EAC. “He is not new to EAC,” said Mr Yufnalis Okubo, the Registrar of the East African Court of Justice (EACJ) when he officiated the swearing in of various new officials.

The choice of Dr Mathuki came as a surprise especially given the apparent tug-of-war between Kenya and South Sudan as to which country would produce the next SG.

Earlier speculation had been on Ababu Namwamba, a senior Kenyan government official much fronted by speculators if Nairobi was to get the slot.

But a few minutes before the 2pm virtual summit an EAC official whispered on the possibility of the EABC boss taking over from Liberat Mfumukeko whose tenure ends in April.

Dr Mathuki is taking over the EAC as the regional body is grappling with a host of challenges; old, new and emerging.

He would certainly attempt to tackle some of them using his zeal and diplomacy but may not go much far on the cash crisis blamed on the partner states.

Dr Mathuki is credited for having turned around the EABC from a poorly staffed regional body to a vibrant institution much more visible since 2018 than before. He was appointed the CEO of the Arusha-based apex body of the private sector associations in October 2018, winning the confidence of the traditional donors to the region.

“He is an expert in regional integration and has a PhD in Strategic Management and Regional Integration,” said Patrick Moshi, a communication manager with EABC.

The new EAC boss is a believer in larger EAC and has lately campaigned for the admission of more states into the fold, notably the DR Congo.

However, his main challenge will be how to fill the empty coffers of the EAC, partly blamed on the economic woes facing member states and in-fighting among the EAC organs.

The EAC expenditure budget for 2020/2021 was passed only last month; five months before the end of the fiscal year.

However, it is not certain if all the six partner states, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda and South Sudan, have remitted their contributions.

His zeal for regional integration has seen him reaching out most of the EAC Heads of States and government officials, often striking deals to end the notorious trade barriers.

Dr Mathuki now becomes the seventh SG of the Community since the regional organization was revived in the 1990s and will assume duties on April 26th. He is the second principal executive officer to be groomed ‘from within’. His predecessor Mr Mfumukeko was elevated from the position of deputy SG in 2016 .

Yesterday’s summit was the first to be attended and addressed by a Burundi leader since 2015 when the country plunged into political turmoil.

President Evarist Ndayishimye addressed the meeting, pledging to support regional integration efforts and reconciliation in his country.

Others who attended were Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta who became the new Chair of the Summit, taking over from Paul Kagame of Rwanda. Others were President Salvaytory Kiir of South Sudan, Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Tanzania’s Vice President Samia Suluhu Hassan.