EAC speakers agree to work with governments on unpaid dues; Nairobi meeting 29 October

Speakers of East African Community (EAC) parliaments agreed in Arusha, Tanzania, to work with their governments and finance ministries to speed up payment of outstanding contributions to the bloc, The Citizen reported on 3 October 2026. They took the decision at the close of the 21st Ordinary Meeting of the Bureau of Speakers.

The EAC faces a US$125 million debt burden. Member states have paid only 17 per cent of their assessed contributions for the 2026/27 financial year. The EAC has approved a budget of US$110.86 million for the year.

The Speaker of Somalia's House of the People, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, said, as quoted by The Citizen, that the discussion was lengthy but members "ultimately agreed to work with their governments and finance ministries to expedite payment of the outstanding arrears." Tanzania's Deputy Speaker, Daniel Sillo, said Tanzania "continues to take pride in being part of the EAC and remains a committed partner in building a stronger community."

Under the new contribution system, adopted by EAC heads of state in March 2026, 50 per cent of member states' contributions will be shared equally. The other half will be set according to each country's economic capacity. The framework also provides for a conditional waiver of 50 per cent of accumulated arrears. The remaining balance is to be cleared under an agreed repayment arrangement. Under the new model, Kenya's annual contribution rises from US$7 million to US$11.6 million, Rwanda's The New Times reported on 1 June 2026.

The speakers also agreed to hold a special meeting in Nairobi on 29 October. It will deal with outstanding directives on elections and the remuneration system for members of the Sixth East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), whose term is expected to begin in December 2027. Sessions for parliamentary clerks and secretaries-general are to be held on 27 and 28 October, before the special meeting.

FTL Somalia reported on 3 October that Nur chaired the Arusha meeting. It said Somalia took over the chair of the Speakers' Bureau from Kenya in November 2025, and that Nur met Kenya's National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetang'ula, on the sidelines. Nur also said Somalia was ready to host the 22nd meeting in Mogadishu at the end of January 2027.