The Post-Election Seminar kicked off this morning at the Pride Inn Paradise Hotel in Mombasa, with calls on Members to nurture parliamentary democracy as well as entrench themselves as the vanguards of the welfare of the people, in between elections.

Addressing the delegates during the opening session, the Secretary General of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Mr. Karim Ulla Akbar Khan noted that the National Assembly has a role in setting an example for other arms of government by promoting accountability, gender equality and inclusion of all including those living with disability. “As independent institutions sitting at the centre of a web of accountability reaching into the executive and the other branches of government, to the public and political parties, you are well placed to set an example and lead change by mirroring gender equality and inclusion of all sections of our societies in their composition”, he advised.

Mr. Khan also spoke to the matter on the need for the respect for the separation of powers as a tenet of good governance. Speaking to the same matter, the Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia acknowledged that though there exists challenges in this regard well within the Zambian jurisdiction, there is need to uphold that respect for the separation of powers, as it contributes greatly not only to good governance, but also to safeguarding the welfare of the nation.

On his part, the Speaker of the National Assembly amplified the essence of the seminar in helping develop capacity for the members so as to effectively undertake their mandate in regards to representation, the role of budget making, oversight and in law making. He noted that the forum has drawn participation from diverse parliamentary jurisdictions within the Commonwealth of Nations, who share similarities with Kenya in the parliamentary traditions that have over time shaped our practices and procedures in our respective legislatures. “I most sincerely appreciate the great individuals from these jurisdictions among them, the Republic of Zambia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia who have graced this Post-Election Seminar. Equally, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) of the United States of America are well represented at this Seminar”, he stated.

Speaking to the subject of Institutional Relationships between the Arms of Government, the Deputy Chief Justice, Hon. Lady Justice Philomena Mwilu acknowledged that the forum was necessary to develop mutually constructive relationships between the two arms of government for the benefit of all Kenyans. Lady Justice Mwilu who was representing the Chief Justice David Maraga at the Seminar, further noted that Institutional independence means more than just mere immunity from interference. She further urged members to strive to understand the concept of judicial review so as to minimize conflicts between the two arms of government, adding that no arm of government holds a position superior to the terms of the law.

Others set to address Members during the seminar include: the former chairperson of the Committee of Experts on Constitutional Review Mr. Nzamba Kitonga, the Hon. Alexandra Mendes, Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons and CPA Vice Chairperson, Mr. Jerry Hartz, the Director of Government Relations and Communications, National Democratic Institute, USA, Senator Lucy Gichohi, from the Senate of Australia, and Mr. Tom Duncan, the Clerk of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly.

The three day seminar runs from today through Thursday 8th March, and will be instrumental in developing a platform for shared experiences and knowledge transfer between the Members of the 12th Parliament and those from other jurisdictions within the commonwealth spectrum. It is therefore envisaged that such capacity will be as necessary as it transcends their lives and careers as Members of Parliament, and prepares them for life after Parliament in the event that they are not reelected or they retire from politics.