Nairobi — A regional federation of resident associations has been formed as part of efforts to fast track integration.

The East Africa Residents Association (Eafra) will include, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Seychelles, Rwanda, Burundi and Sudan. Kenya will be represented by the Kenya Alliance of Residents Association, (Kara).

"We are pleased to confirm the registration of Eafra as a federation of resident associations within the Eastern Africa region," Kara chief executive Stephen Mutoro said in a statement sent to media houses.

The first step, according to Mr Mutoro, is the formation of national resident associations in other countries.

"Once this process is complete," he said, "Eafra will formally apply to the East Africa Community (EAC) for consideration of observer status as well as other partnerships."

The federation's objective is to enhance the wellbeing and dignity of the people in the region.

Mr Mutoro said they would promote citizen-to-citizen integration in bridging intergovernmental agreements such as the EAC .

"We will strive to maintain good governance; security and peace; sustainable environment and protection of our natural resources," the statement read in part.

Integration

The federation seeks to organise lawful resident groups and other private and public partners in realising accelerated integration and socio-economic development within the region.

The interim officials are Mr Richard Nyaga, the former Kenya Airways boss, Mr Mutoro and Mr Ephraim Kanake, a consultant with Kenya Institute of Management.

Corporate membership has been opened to all companies which operate in more than one of the nine member countries.