Geneva, Switzerland | 15th October – The Speaker of the Senate, Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka, Monday led the Kenyan delegation to the opening ceremony of the 139th Assembly of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) in Geneva, Switzerland where Sen Susan Kihika made her maiden address to the world’s parliamentarians.

In line with the Assembly’s umbrella theme of Science, Technology and Innovation, the Senate Majority Whip – who serves as the President of the Forum for Women Parliamentarians of the IPU – urged parliamentarians present to ensure that innovation in science and technology advances gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.

“As parliamentarians, we have to adapt to change and ensure technological progress impacts positively on women and girls,” said Sen Kihika.

She also impressed upon her international colleagues on the importance of ensuring women and girls thrive in the technology sector as creators, developers and decision-makers.

In a preparatory meeting with the Kenyan delegation, Speaker Lusaka congratulated Sen Kihika on her accession to helm of the Women’s Forum noting that she has earned Kenya’s Parliament another feather in its parliamentary diplomacy cap.

“With me in the Executive Committee (ExCo) of the IPU and my counterpart Speaker Muturi being Chair of CPA Africa Region’s ExCo, and now Sen Kihika in the Presidency of the Women’s Forum – Kenya’s parliamentary diplomatic positioning is not only strong, but also enviable,” said Lusaka.

Parliamentary diplomacy is an alternative form of diplomacy that is increasing in popularity; by supplementing traditional diplomacy via the Executive. Pundits say its soft power in influencing foreign policy through diplomatic lobbying could bear great impact.

The Kenyan delegation comprises – Sen Agnes Zani, Hon Emmanuel Wangwe, Hon Haika Mizighi, Hon Kangogo Bowen, Hon Charles Njagua (Jaguar) and Hon Joyce Emanikor.