Patricia Ouma is a PhD Candidate at the Europa Institute in Leiden University researching on the role of executive institutions in realising regional objectives in the envisaged East African Political Confederation. She is also a member of the African International Economic Law Network. Patricia has research and teaching experience in Comparative Regional Integration Law and International Economic Law. She holds an LL.M in International Business Law from Catholic University of Lyon, France, and an LL.B from the University of Nairobi. Patricia is also an advocate of the High Court of Kenya, with experience in commercial litigation. Title research: Towards a balanced executive in African regional integration: Conceptuallsing institutional balance in a political lconfederation in the East African Community.