20 August 2010: The second annual EAC Conference on Good Governance opened in Nairobi, Kenya, with a call on EAC Partner States to strengthen judicial institutions and uphold the rule of law.

Opening the two-day meeting being held under the theme; “Good Governance for Sustainable Integration, Stability and Development”, Kenya’s Minister for Justice, National Cohesion and Constitutional Affairs Hon. Mutula Kilonzo, stressed the importance of justice and the rule of law if stability and development are to be enhanced.

What started as a four Local Authority initiative has over the last 32 years grown to a membership of 84 Local Authorities. More importantly, it laid ground for the EALASCA hosting local authorities from the EAC Partner States of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The East African Common Market Protocol that takes effect on 1st July 2010 symbolises the conquering of political and ideological differences that set apart the nations of East African Community in the 70s.

The date of 1st July 2010 is the effective date when the EAC Common Market begins its journey towards full implementation.   What is now required of the EAC Partner States is to operationalize the Protocol by:-