David Kemei, Director-General of the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), has been sworn in as a Commissioner of the East African Community Competition Authority (EACCA) for a four-year term.
He was also elected interim Chairperson during the swearing-in ceremony held at the EAC Headquarters in Arusha, Tanzania.
Kemei emphasized that strong enforcement of competition law is vital for regional economic growth, investment, and consumer protection.
“Challenges in regional integration require coordinated and solution-oriented responses from all Partner States,” he noted.
As Kenya’s representative, Kemei will prioritize harmonizing merger regimes, conducting joint investigations into anti-competitive practices, and strengthening collaboration in capacity building and market research.
The EACCA, established under the EAC Treaty and Competition Act (2006), is mandated to oversee fair competition and consumer welfare across the region.
It investigates cross-border competition issues, assesses regional mergers, and coordinates with national regulators through MoUs with agencies in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda.
Burundi’s Germain Ntawuyamara and Rwanda’s Emmanuel Mugabe were also sworn in as Commissioners, bringing the number of sitting members to three.
EAC Deputy Secretary General Annette Mutaawe Ssemuwemba said the appointments come at a critical time as the EACCA prepares its second Strategic Plan and rolls out its regional merger notification system.
According to Stellah Onyancha, Acting Registrar of the EACCA, merger notifications will officially begin in October 2025 following the gazettement of the EAC Competition (Amendment) Act, 2023.
The move is expected to enhance market competitiveness and improve the investment climate in the region.
