A bus carrying Tanzanian Members of Parliament to the 14th East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Games in Mombasa was involved in a collision with a lorry today in the Mbande area, Dodoma.
Kenya’s National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula confirmed that the accident resulted in no fatalities. However, around 16 legislators sustained injuries and were promptly transported to a nearby hospital for medical attention.
Wetangula reassured the public, saying, “One bus carrying some of our colleagues from Tanzania was involved in an accident. We have no fatalities, but there are injuries.” He further added that more information will be provided soon. The incident occurred just hours before the official opening of the EALA Games.
The 14th EALA Games: What to Expect
The highly anticipated 14th edition of the EALA Games is set to officially begin tomorrow at the Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa. President William Ruto will preside over the event’s opening ceremony. The games, scheduled to run until December 18, 2024, serve as a key platform for fostering unity and collaboration between East African nations.
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The EALA Games have become an annual fixture since its establishment in 2009 through a resolution by the 4th East African Community (EAC) Bureau of Speakers. The event rotates annually among the East African Community (EAC) partner states, promoting deeper relations between the EALA and the regional parliaments.
East African Nations Unite in Sports
Legislators from East African countries, including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo, South Sudan, and Somalia, are expected to compete in a variety of sports during the games. The competition aims to enhance cooperation and mutual understanding among lawmakers in the region.
The venues for the games include Mbaraki Stadium for athletics, soccer, and tug-of-war, Mombasa Sports Club for additional soccer matches, and the Aga Khan Academy for indoor sports.
Safety Concerns After MPs Involved in Bus Accident
While the incident involving the Tanzanian MPs is unfortunate, it highlights the potential risks lawmakers face while traveling for such high-profile events.
This comes a few works after Kenya’s National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula instructed Members of Parliament attending the 14th East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games in Mombasa next month to travel exclusively by the standard gauge railway (SGR) Madaraka Express passenger train.
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Wetang’ula emphasised that the directive to use the SGR is part of ongoing efforts to reduce government expenditure.
“I did direct and I want to repeat… as much as we possibly can on cost-cutting measures… you will, including myself, travel to Mombasa by SGR. I invite you members to be in Mombasa for the friendly games of the East African region, where parliaments of the eight African countries will be there. Organise with the clerk’s office to indicate when you want to travel,” Wetang’ula told the Kenyan lawmakers.
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