EAC MPs want office for Museveni

By Okello Jabweli and Reuben Olita in NairobiMEMBERS of of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) want an office created for Presidents Daniel arap Moi and Yoweri Museveni in Arusha when they retire.Dan Wandera Ogalo (Uganda) on Tuesday proposed that since the two leaders had been instrumental in the revival of the East African Community (EAC), the region should not miss out on their vast experience when they retired. Moi of Kenya is due for retirement at the end of this year while Museveni still has four more years to finish his second and last constitutional term.Though Ogalo didn’t mention Tanzanian President Benjamin Mkapa, he is also due for retirement around the same time as Museveni. “It is time we created an office in Arusha at the secretariat for an individual who can steer the community forward,” Ogalo said. “Such individuals can only be Moi, Museveni and Mkapa. Since Moi is retiring first he should go first,” he said. Ogalo’s proposal was received by wild cheers by most members, especially the Kenyan representatives. The assembly currently in session in the Old Chambers of the Kenyan Parliament, is being presided over by the Speaker, Abdulrahman Kinana from Tanzania. Ogalo said if the proposal was adopted, a residence befitting a former head of state would have to be constructed at the secretariat in Arusha. “We can provide that office with certain immunities and privileges befitting its holder so that the serving heads of state can be able to delegate some limited powers to it,” Ogalo said.He was contributing to a motion moved by Tanzania’s Kate Kamba for a speedy movement towards the realisation of the East African political federation.Ends