By Our Correspondent
The Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula met with officials from the Electorate Law and Governance Institute for Africa (ELGIA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) at his office where they discussed several issues.
Wetang’ula expressed gratitude towards USAID’s contributions in guiding Kenya through legislative processes after the 2010 constitution, in supporting and nurturing the growth of the IEBC.
The Speaker emphasized the crucial role of ELGIA and USAID in assuming their mandate with utmost dedication, ensuring comprehensive training and orientation for the IEBC commissioners.
He added that by instilling a deep sense of commitment to the rule of law, it is imperative to cultivate a knowledgeable and principled cohort capable of understanding the immense responsibilities at hand, thereby serving the nation diligently.
He appreciated USAID’s efforts in ensuring a good “hygiene” in Kenya’s politics.
“If we don’t have properly trained IEBC practirioners, they can be interfered with,” Wetang’ula.
The Speaker aims to transform the Center for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST) into a groundbreaking institution, becoming the premier training center for parliamentarians throughout Africa. Collaborating with USAID and ELGIA, the Speaker envisions a curriculum specifically tailored to benefit African parliaments, visualizing a future where African democracy thrives under capable leadership.
Wetang’ula appealed to ELGIA to extend their assistance to the Judiciary, aiming to prevent conflicting rulings within the system. This support is crucial to enhance the strength and credibility of judges, who hold the public’s trust and uphold the rule of law. Furthermore, the Speaker envisions a future where elections in Kenya can emulate the seamless process seen in Ghana, renowned for having one of the most robust electoral systems in Africa.
“We are tired of people seating on edge everytime we near elections. We look forward to having peaceful elections like Ghana,” said the Speaker.
Ms. Ludwig highlighted the importance of strengthening trust in institutions, recognizing them as the foundation of democracy.
She emphasized that Kenya possesses the necessary structures to offer institutional support, conflict resolution, and peace messaging, as demonstrated during the 2022 elections through the involvement of faith-based organizations.
The ongoing electoral reforms and prioritization of devolution were key areas of collaboration, recognizing the imperative of strengthening county governments.
Wetang’ula observed a lack of accountability in devolution and suggested to ELGIA the exploration of mechanisms to enhance oversight of counties.
Furthermore, he provided assurance that Parliament is actively committed to prioritizing electoral sector laws, the two-thirds gender rule, affirmative action, and other pertinent legislations.
Elizabeth Angira