The new East African Community (EAC) Secretary General, Ms Veronica Mueni Nduva, took the oath of office on Friday evening at State House in Juba, Republic of South Sudan.
Ms Nduva was sworn in during the 23rd Extra-Ordinary Meeting of the EAC Heads of State that was held virtually and chaired by H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit, the Chairperson of the Summit and President of South Sudan.
Speaking after taking the oath as Secretary General, Ms Nduva said that her tenure would be dedicated to promoting deeper integration and development of the people of East Africa.
Ms Nduva said her key priorities would include strengthening economic integration that encourages innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation in addition to peace and security.
“Your Excellencies, in promoting peace and security, a secure East Africa is the foundation upon which we can build lasting prosperity,” said the SG.
Ms. Nduva, who is EAC’s first female SG, disclosed that advanced social development would also be a priority for her with special attention being given to empowering women and youth who are the backbone of the society in the region.
Infrastructure development will also rank high on the incoming SG’s agenda as she reiterated that the sector will require innovative financing solutions and strengthened public-private partnerships (PPPs).
“To promote climate-resilient growth, we will continue addressing the pressing challenges of climate change collectively as a region. This includes promoting green energy, sustainable agriculture, conservation efforts and resource mobilisation as a bloc,” she added.
Ms Nduva further singled out institutional strengthening for effective implementation of policies and programmes as another of her priorities, adding that enhancing inter-organ and inter-institutional coordination would be key to delivering on the mandate.
She pledged fidelity to the Treaty and said that it would serve as her guiding document throughout her tenure as Secretary General even as she promised to promote a culture of transparency, accountability and inclusivity in the Community.
Ms. Nduva replaces Hon. (Dr.) Peter Mutuku Mathuki who was recalled by the Republic of Kenya in March 2024 and redeployed as the country’s Ambassador to Moscow.
Prior to her appointment as SG, Ms Nduva was the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Performance and Delivery Management in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary and Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Ms Nduva, an alumnus of the University of Nairobi (UoN), is an accomplished governance and public sector professional with 24 years of career-spanning service in the Government of Kenya, EAC, US government and civil society.
She holds a BA in Political Science and Communication Studies from UoN. She also possesses vast experience in Human Resource Management and budgetary appropriations.