AMMAN, JORDAN | 12th August – Parliamentary diplomacy, counterterrorism intelligence and the Big Four Agenda dominated talks as the Speaker of the Senate, Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka made his first official visit to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The Senate Speaker – who is on a two-day official visit in the Kingdom, on invitation by the President of the Jordanian Senate – while meeting HE Dr. Marouf Bakhit, the Ag President of the Jordanian Senate condemned the terrorist attack that occurred late Saturday in Salt City, some 30 km west of the capital Amman.

“On behalf of the Senate and indeed on behalf of the Kenyan people, I convey our deepest condolences to the Hashemite Kingdom and the families of the four officers who in the face of the despicable terrorist attack, have paid the ultimate price,” said Lusaka.

Lusaka – who led a delegation of five Senators – also delivered HE President Uhuru Kenyatta’s message of goodwill to the Jordanian people and his administration’s commitment to the Aqaba Process.

The meeting between Speaker Lusaka with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, HE Eng Atef Tarawneh, agreed to advance their parliamentary diplomacy such that it is in tandem with the relations enjoyed by respective countries’ Executive, led by their Heads of State.

“The Senate of Kenya under my leadership has three goals in mind the matter of parliamentary diplomacy— to promote democratic values and Kenya's interests abroad; to exchange ideas and best practices with fellow parliamentarians; and to help guide collective policy and action,” noted Lusaka.

The Senate delegation comprises— Sen. Mohammed Yusuf Haji, Sen. Njeru Ndwiga, Sen. Boniface Kabaka, Sen. Naomi Jillo Waqo and Sen. Mercy Chebeni.