Parliaments of Kenya and Colombia have agreed to initiate a working engagement that will foster and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.

The engagement will look into and develop areas of possible cooperation between the two legislatures.

This was the agreement reached following a meeting between Senator Kathuri Murungi, the Deputy Speaker of the Senate of Kenya and Hon Dorina Hernandez Palomino, who is the President of the Chamber for Bolivar County.

Hon. Palomino had paid a courtesy call at Parliament Buildings where he was hosted by Senator Murungi on behalf of Speaker Amason Kingi, who is attending a Pan African parliament meeting in South Africa.

“As Kenyan Parliament we are very happy to host and engage with your delegation. We hope that through this engagement, we can foster cooperation with the Parliament of Colombia,” said Senator Murungi.

Hon Palomino, is part of the high-powered Colombian delegation that is in Kenya for an official tour as the two countries seek to strengthen diplomatic ties.

The delegation is led by Colombian Vice President Francia Elena Marquez Mina.

As part of a shift in its foreign policy, Colombia has designed a new policy that is anchored on reconnecting with Africa.

During the meeting, Senator Kathuri challenged the Kenya security sector to benchmark with the Colombian security infrastructure which focuses on environmental security and defence.

“Our security committee should think of how best they can benchmark with the Colombia to see how they do it and as a country we can benefit from it.” 

Other areas of possible cooperation are trade, education, agriculture and scholarships.

Hon. Palomino said they had picked on Kenya as the country has transformed in the last eight months of Kenya kwanza administration.

“We have come here to learn from you especially in areas you have exceled,” said Hon. Palomino, adding that part of the learning will be devoted on Kenya politicians implement election pledges.

They want to learn from Kenya areas of clean energy, tourism (local against international), agriculture and democracy.

“We Want to drink from your experience; the challenges you have encountered not just as a symbol of black people but as their representatives.

The meeting was attended by members of the Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations, which included Senators William Cheptumo (Chairman), Karen Nyamu (Vice chair), Abdul Haji (Garissa), George Mbugua (Nominated), Fatuma Dullo, (Isiolo) Julius Murgor (West Pokot) and Veronica Maina (Nominated).

Others were the Clerk of the Senate Jeremiah Nyegenye and Cesar Castro, the Counsel, Embassy of Colombia.