Members now seek to rein in Eala Speaker

Nairobi. Members of the East African Legislative Assembly (Eala) have decided to change the Rules of Procedure in an attempt to curb the powers of the Speaker.

This is after two attempts to eject the current speaker, Ms Margaret Zziwa, ended in a stalemate.

Unable to agree among themselves who was to replace the current speaker, the members are keen on making the seat unattractive as a solution to the protracted standoff that has disrupted the proceedings of the assembly, which is currently meeting in Nairobi.

The members voted 32 against 12 to kick Ms Zziwa out through a motion passed on October 30 in Arusha and were supposed to replace her with another Ugandan, according to the standing orders, but could not reach a consensus.

Among the new changes proposed in a motion moved yesterday by the chair of the Legal Affairs committee, Ms Dorah Biamukamah of Uganda, is the introduction of the speaker’s panel.

“The panel which will have members, one from each State in the East African Community will share the responsibilities of the speaker’s position and will chair house debates in the absence of the Speaker,” she said.

At the moment, the speaker’s position is held on a winner-takes-all manner and with no deputy speaker. Unless the speaker is present, sessions cannot be held even if there is a quorum.