NAIROBI, 21st April - The Deputy Speaker of the Senate of Kenya, Sen (Prof) Margaret Kamar today hosted her Czech counterpart, Hon Jitka Seitlová where they explored avenues of deepening parliamentary engagement and strengthening areas of cooperation between their countries.

The meeting - attended by delegations of Senators from either side - was held at Parliament of Kenya's precincts, where discussions principally centred on climate change and conservation.

"The Northern White Rhino project is a huge joint interest between our countries and a key global effort to save this species," Hon Seitlová explained.

The two female world's surviving northern white rhinos belong to the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic but live in the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. The last male of the species died in 2018, but its sperm was collected and has been used to fertilise eggs.

On climate change, Sen (Prof) Kamar observed that Parliamentary involvement in formulating international climate agreements could have a positive impact.

"If we enhance the role of Parliaments in the formulation of international agreements such as the next climate change conference, COP27, they'd be in a better position to keenly monitor the Executive's efforts in fulfilling the commitments we ratify," she said.

The meeting also discussed defence, education and health cooperation as well as a proposal to form an Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group between the Czech and Kenyan Senate to advance mutual interests.

Senators present at the meeting included- Hon Zdeněk Linhart, Hon Petr Orel, Hon Přemysl Rabas, Sen Mutula Kilonzo Jr, Sen Farhiya Ali, Hon Johnson Sakaja, Sen Moses Kajwang and Sen Sylvia Kassanga.