Speaker Muturi hosts final Parliamentary Journalists’ annual engagement
Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi (left) with Media Council of Kenya CEO.
By: Our Reporter
Worth Noting:
- “At the National Assembly, we remain committed to continually engage through such forums to ensure that those who report from Parliament have a developed capacity to do so from a very informed point of view.” Speaker Muturi promised.
- He emphasized that such engagements are meant to facilitate Parliamentary reporters to develop capacity to synthesize a mechanism for generation of information requisite for the public understanding of the mandate of Parliament in legislation, budget making, representation and oversight.
- The Speaker further called on the Parliamentary journalists to endeavour to improve their knowledge on Parliamentary procedures and practices so as to promote accurate and informative reportage.
The Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Justin Muturi has lauded the media for their strategic support and collaboration with Parliament to enhance the publicity of Parliamentary business.
Speaking when he opened a 2-day workshop for the Kenya Parliamentary Journalists’ Association at the Sarova Whitesands Hotels and Resorts in Mombasa County, Speaker Muturi underscored the crucial role of the media in helping Parliament implement its constitutional obligation with regard to public participation in its business as provided for in Article 118.
“The media in Kenya has played a pivotal role in enhancing the public understanding of the Legislative process in the 12th parliament, a commendable achievement as compared to previous Parliaments when media coverage was skewed”, noted the Speaker.
The engagement which also has the Media Council of Kenya on board, seeks to boost interactions and enhance synergies between the National Assembly and Parliamentary Reporters, as well as take stock on the accomplishments and the challenges of the 12th Parliament. The forum will also deliberate on strategies to promote a more robust and objective coverage for the 13th Parliament.
“At the National Assembly, we remain committed to continually engage through such forums to ensure that those who report from Parliament have a developed capacity to do so from a very informed point of view.” Speaker Muturi promised.
He emphasized that such engagements are meant to facilitate Parliamentary reporters to develop capacity to synthesize a mechanism for generation of information requisite for the public understanding of the mandate of Parliament in legislation, budget making, representation and oversight.
The Speaker further called on the Parliamentary journalists to endeavour to improve their knowledge on Parliamentary procedures and practices so as to promote accurate and informative reportage.
“However, this can only remain an opaque dream, if the Parliamentary reporter fails to embrace research, and to promote their understanding of the procedures and general operations of Parliament,” the Speaker observered.
Reminding the participants that as Kenya approaches the August polls, a spotlight will be cast on them and the role they play in shaping the political agenda and atmosphere, he urged them to undertake a balanced coverage towards all political parties and candidates, as well as proper media conduct in the presentation of information that is relevant to electoral choices, as all these are crucial to achieving a free and fair election.
The Speaker also revealed that he has no intention of serving in the post in the Parliament that would be formed after the August 9 polls.
“When I got elected as Speaker of the National Assembly for the second time, I made up my mind that I would not do more than two terms. I wanted to allow other people to serve in that capacity. – Speaker Muturi. I feel it is fair to allow other Kenyans to take the mantle,” he said.
Muturi, also disclosed plans to extend the calendar of Parliament for at least one week. He said this would be to enable a consonance in the adjournments of both the National Assembly and the Senate. If the proposal is carried by the National Assembly, the two Houses will now be expected to adjourn sine die on 16th June.
Speaking at the same event, the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly Ms Serah Kioko expressed appreciation to the reporters for enabling an enhanced publicity of Parliamentary business especially in the last few years. She noted that this remarkable improvement had resulted to intensified interest for participation in the legislative business of the National Assembly.
“The media has been instrumental in publishing parliamentary activities and this has largely contributed to ensuring public participation in the Legislative Process,” Said Ms Kioko.
The Deputy Clerk also pointed out some challenges identified by the leadership of the National Assembly, the main one being occasional inaccurate reporting by a section of the media, and pointed out that continued engagement would up an avenue to correct this in the future.
On his part, the Kenya Parliamentary Journalists Association (KPJA) Mr. Duncan Khaemba from
the Standard Group thanked the Speaker and the Clerk for their continued facilitation of Parliamentary Journalists to do their work. He however appealed to the National Assembly to consider some reforms with regard to access to Parliament and access to information in a bid to promote a more open and transparent legislature.
The annual engagement which had taken a 3-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, also acts as a platform for knowledge sharing between Parliamentary journalists and Parliamentary Officers.
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