The Senate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and European Union (EU) have today agreed to form a tripartite taskforce to work on a framework that contributes to the success of devolution.

The development emerged today when the EU Ambassador, HE Stefano Dejak together with MoFA CAS Hon Ababu Namwamba called on the Speaker of the Senate, Rt Hon Kenneth Lusaka at his Parliament Buildings Office.

The United Kingdom pledged to strengthen areas of cooperation with the Kenyan Senate headed by the Speaker, Kenneth Lusaka.

Speaking when he paid a courtesy call on the Senate Speaker, UK High Commissioner to Kenya, HE Nic Hailey noted that his country greatly supported devolution.

“We are great supporters of the devolution process and I dare say there can be no better man for the Senate Speaker position.  Having ascended from being a Governor you have a unique grasp of county affairs and can effectively bridge the gap,” noted Hailey.

The Speaker of the Senate, Sen Kenneth Lusaka today hosted a delegation of the Machakos County Assembly Service Board led by County Speaker Hon Florence Mwangangi – who called on him at his Parliament Buildings Office.

The Board was on a benchmarking tour of the Senate chamber and facilities as it is in the process of designing and planning for the constructing of a modern chamber. The Assembly holds its sittings at refurbished debating halls of the defunct county council.

Senate Speaker Sen Kenneth Lusaka today met HE Suchitra Durai, the High Commissioner of India to Kenya who called on him at his Parliament Buildings Office.

At the meeting, Speaker Lusaka told the High Commissioner that there was need for Kenya and India to deepen cooperation especially on health and capacity development.

“India has enjoyed a lot of medical tourism from the Kenyan people – with focus being on treatment using modern medicine. I however believe that Kenya can learn a lot from India on traditional medicine,” observed the Senate Speaker.

The Speaker of the Senate, Sen Kenneth Lusaka today met with the Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, H.E. Dr Slaiman Arabiat

Speaker Lusaka told Amb Arabiat – who called on him at his Parliament Buildings Office – that Kenya considers Jordan a diplomatic, economic and strategic partner.

“We are proud of our privileged relationship with Jordan which only recently opened its mission in Kenya. While our main area of cooperation has been agricultural trade this has extended to military cooperation as well,” Speaker Lusaka observed.

The Speaker of the Senate, Rt Hon Sen Kenneth Lusaka has called on Senate Committee Chairpersons to carry out their leadership roles in a bipartisan manner.

Speaking earlier today when he made his keynote address at the Senate Liaison Committee Induction Workshop in Mombasa, Speaker Lusaka told the 12 Committee Chairpersons present that the success of their Committees – and by extension the Senate – would be determined by the great leadership they provide.