March, 1st, 2021 The East African Community (EAC) has approved the appointment of the East African Business Council Executive Director, Dr. Peter Mathuki, as the next EAC Secretary-General, following endorsements to President Kenyatta by corporate bodies. Dr. Mathuki emerged first in a list of 12 applicants to the position including, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Administrative Secretary Ababu Namwamba as well as Cabinet Secretaries Adan Mohamed (East African Community and Regional Development) and Amina Mohamed (Sports).
The private sector fronted Dr. Mathuki as a suitable man to help address challenges witnessed in the last five years which nearly killed the community.
The post in which he is expected to serve a five-year terms, is a rotational post, which by protocol of the EAC, the eligible head of State nominates a candidate who is then approved by the Summit of Heads of State. Dr. Mathuki previously served as a member of the East African Legislative Assembly, chairing the Committee on Legal Affairs and Good Governance as well as Accounts, Trade and Investment.
He previously held positions in Kenya and in international bodies including the International Labour Standards at the former International Confederation of Free Trade Unions (ICFTU-Africa), now ITUC-Africa, which he served as director. further to that, Dr. Mathuki was a consultant for European Union programmes in Kenya.
The appointment of Dr. Mathuki comes as a rectification strategy by Kenya following the substandard leadership of Mr. Mfumukeko that saw countries skip summits while member states fought over tariffs and engaged in political accusations.
President Kenyatta was also selected as chair of the East African Community while Burundi’s Evariste Ndayishimiye was chosen as the community’s rapporteur.