Geneva, Switzerland | 16th October – The Speaker of the Senate, Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka, Tuesday addressed the 139th General Assembly of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) where he urged parliamentarians to use their institutions to improve the welfare of citizens by being the link with the tech and innovation community.

“Science, Technology and Innovation hold the answer to most of the fundamental challenges that confront humanity and indeed parliamentarians in the course of its work,” said Speaker Lusaka.

“Therefore, the use of science is no longer an option for Parliament, but rather an integral part of surmounting the various challenges.”

The Speaker also used the opportunity to highlight how Kenya has provided an enabling environment for innovation and technology, as it seeks to achieve the country’s “Big Four” Agenda and Vision 2030.

The Industrial Property Act, 2001 – for instance – provides for the promotion of inventive and innovative activities, to facilitate the acquisition of technology through the grant and regulation of patents, utility models, technovations and industrial designs.

In February 2018, the Kenyan Government appointed a task force to explore the development potential of blockchain technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in Kenya.

The IPU Assembly – the premier meeting hall for 178 Parliaments – shall adjourn its sittings on October 18.

Parliament of Kenya’s participation at the IPU is part of the country’s parliamentary diplomacy agenda and the strengthening of Kenya’s international profile and relations.