New EAC Secretary General Stephen Patrick Mbundi/HANDOUT



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Tanzania’s Stephen Patrick Mbundi is the new East African Community (EAC) Secretary General.

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Mbundi, a Tanzanian diplomat, takes over from Kenya’s Veronica Nduva, whose tenure ends in April.

Nduva has served as SG after taking over from Peter Mathuki, who was removed midway through his term and transferred to Russia as Kenya’s Ambassador.

Nduva was appointed to complete Kenya’s tenure of five years. She is the only woman to serve the bloc as Secretary General.

Mbundi was appointed and sworn in on Saturday during the 25th Ordinary Summit of EAC Heads of State held in Arusha, Tanzania.

He will serve from 2026 to 2031. Until his appointment, Mbundi was the Permanent Secretary responsible for EAC Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East Africa Cooperation.

Ambassador Mbundi has worked with various EAC organs and institutions, development partners, and private sector organisations to advance regional integration.

Mbundi has also engaged extensively with counterparts from EAC Partner States to discuss and resolve issues hampering the free movement of trade and persons.

According to the Tanzanian Government, Mbundi has a long history with the EAC integration agenda and brings renewed impetus to the community.

The position is held by EAC Partner States on a rotational basis.

President William Ruto congratulated Nduva for successfully steering and realigning the community over the last 20 months.

He welcomed the new SG, saying: “As you take up the mantle, we are counting on you to build on the efforts of your predecessors and take the community to the next level.”

At the same time, the Summit appointed Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni as chairman. He took over from President Ruto, whose one-year tenure has expired.

Initially, Somalia’s President was expected to take over the chairmanship, but the country has not domesticated the EAC treaty. President Samia Suluhu Hassan is the rapporteur.

During the meeting, the East Africa Customs Bond and the EAC Seventh Development Strategy 2026/2031 were launched by the Presidents.