Caution was the word as members of the East Africa Legislative Assembly wound up their third session in Nairobi unanimous on the need to consult East Africans over the subject of political federation. 

The 27-member assembly sitting in the Kenyan Parliament's Old Chambers from June 4–6, debated the committee's report on the integration of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, which calls for a referendum to approve the proposed political federation. They warned that mistakes that led to the breakup of the erstwhile East Africa Community in 1977 must be avoided.

The members also visited various agricultural, medical and research institutions, as well as financial, tourism and manufacturing establishments. 

Among the institutions was the Nairobi Stock Exchange where they were taken through the transactions process by the chief executive Mr Kibuga Kareithi. 

They were also hosted to a luncheon by the Minister for Tourism and Information, Mr Kalonzo Musyoka, at Utalii College before visiting micro and small enterprise (Jua Kali ) sites at Ziwani and Kamukunji. 

They were scheduled to travel to Mombasa, where they would discuss proposals for the establishment of an EAC Customs Union between June 12–15. 

The assembly was set up in November last year. The sitting in Nairobi was the third and final familiarisation tour of the three countries after similar ones in Kampala and Zanzibar.