The Speaker of Senate Rt.Hon. Amason Kingi, EGH, has expressed the need to entrench the role of Parliamentarians in peace building in order to promote regional stability and stem conflict.

The Speaker while making his opening remarks during the Inaugural joint post election retreat between the Senate and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) said it was time leaders use their positions to end conflict within the region.

'The dynamics of leadership and governance are fluid and continue to thrust upon us parliamentarians, unique, fast-evolving and more challenging responsibilities; hence we can no longer be content playing the laid-back or spectator’s role in confronting new socio-economic challenges that humanity has to grapple with, by confining ourselves to law-making," he added.

The theme for the retreat is "equipping 21st Century Legislation for effective Service delivery ".

Speaker Kingi who is also President of the Forum of Parliaments of Member States of the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (FP-ICGLR) also commended Senators for settling down fast and performing their legislative mandate.

The CPA comprises 53 countries that form the commonwealth with an objective of bringing parliamentarians and parliamentary staff together to exchange ideas among themselves.

The conference is tailored to strengthen Senators understanding of parliamentary practices, procedures and processes.

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, MGH,  urged Senators to ensure legislation is their core business in order to improve the livelihoods of Kenyans.

"I want to challenge you to focus on legislative work and align them to the needs of Kenyans. We must find a way to fast track our legislation business  which is a powerful tool that can change the lives of our people," he pleaded.

Senate Minority Leader Senator Justice (Rtd) Stewart Madzayo, CBS noted the importance of the retreat saying members will learn parliamentary procedures, powers and privileges that will help them effectively carry out their mandate.

During the seminar, the Senators will be taken through the structure, procedures and processes of select committees, diplomacy in the parliamentary context, opportunities and challenges for new and returning members.

The seminar will also focus on the parliamentary procedure, powers and privileges, doctrine of separation of powers and the role of select committees in parliamentary oversight.

In addition, the lawmakers will have an opportunity to be taken through diplomacy and public engagement, budget policy statement and the budget process.

Among the key speakers during the seminar are the Majority Party Sen. Aaron Cheruiyot, MBS, Leader of the Minority Party Sen. Justice (Rtd.) Stewart Madzayo, CBS.

Other speakers are CPA Secretary General, Mr. Stephen Twigg, Deputy Chair, NCOP, South Africa Hon. Sylvia Lucas, Clerk Assistant, Canada House of Commons Natalie Foster and Former MP, Australian House of Representatives Hon. Kevin Andrews.