Commonwealth Parliamentary Association gets new officials

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Kenya branch now has new office bearers after eight legislators were elected to the local Executive Committee.

The elections, presided over by the speakers of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula and his Senate counterpart Amason Kingi took place during the association’s annual general meeting.

Wetang’ula and Kingi are joint presidents of the association’s Kenyan branch. 

Top on the agenda of the meeting was the election of the executive committee, which is charged with managing the affairs of the CPA Branch.

The team consists of twelve members elected at the bi-annual general meeting of the branch and who hold office until the next bi-annual public meeting following their election.

Also on the day’s agenda was the consideration and adoption of the audited accounts of the branch for the years ended December 31st 2018, December 31st 2019 and December 31st 2020.

In addition, the meeting approved the appointment of Samuel Njoroge, Clerk of the National Assembly, to replace his predecessor, Michael Sialai as a signatory to the branch’s bank account.

In keeping with practice, the meeting also resolved that the Leader of the Majority and Minority Parties in the National Assembly and the Senate form part of the executive committee on account of their offices. 

This means that four out of the twelve positions were not subject to election. The Joint President, the Treasurer and the Secretary are ex-officio members of the Executive Committee.

Subsequently, the Presiding Joint-president, Kingi, declared vacancies for the remaining positions.

“In a Joint Communication from the Chairs issued on August 3rd 2023, the Joint Presidents did bring to the attention of the members of the existence of vacancies in the executive committee of the CPA Kenya Branch and invited interested members to tender their applications for election in writing to the Office of the Clerk,” read a section of the guidelines issued by Kingi.

Those elected during the AGM included Turbo MP Janet Sitienei, Adan Keynan (Eldas), Caroline Ng’elechei (Elgeyo Marakwet), Catherine Omanyo (Busia County) and Embakasi South MP Musili Mawathe, who will also represent the National Assembly.

Those elected to represent the Senate were Bomet senator Hillary Sigei and nominated senators Esther Okenyuri and Hezena Lemaletian.

Further, the meeting also resolved to uphold the appointment of Vihiga MP Beatrice Adagala as the chairperson of the Commonwealth Women Parliamentarians (CWP) and Imenti South MP John Paul Mwirigi as the branch representative.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association exists to promote knowledge of the constitutional, legislative, economic, social and cultural aspects of parliamentary democracy, with particular reference to the countries of the Commonwealth. 

It offers a vast opportunity for legislators and legislative staff to collaborate on mutual interest issues and exchange good practices.

Parliamentary democracy, with particular reference to the countries of the Commonwealth. 

It offers a vast opportunity for legislators and legislative staff to collaborate on mutual interest issues and exchange good practices.