President Ruto opens 4-day post election seminar for MPs
President William Ruto has officially opened the four-day Post Election Seminar (PES) for Members of the National Assembly, an event organized in conjunction with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA).
This seminar, which is a practice within the Commonwealth fraternity and takes place at the beginning of each Parliament’s term, will be held at the Pride-inn Paradise Beach Resort Convention Centre and Spa and will run from January 30 to February 2, 2023.
“The need for a rational, sustainable and clear framework of engagement between the three arms of gov’t has come out in a very sharp focus. The role of the legislature has continued to assert itself in highly important, far-reaching ways,” Ruto said.
The head of state encouraged members to act quickly to implement the necessary adjustment to the standing orders so that CSs can provide comprehensive and regular reports regarding topics under their supervision.
The main goal of this seminar is to enhance the capacity of Members of the National Assembly to efficiently and effectively perform their constitutional duties. The seminar will also aim to strengthen the members’ understanding of parliamentary practices, procedures, and processes, as well as provide a better understanding of the legislative system and democratic processes.
The forum will provide a smooth transition for new members, by allowing them to acclimate to life in Parliament through the sharing of experiences and managing expectations.
The seminar is anticipated to cover a wide range of subjects, including, among others, the role of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in the twenty-first century, the doctrine of separation of powers, checks, and balances, parliamentary practices in the Commonwealth, leadership: behavior, ethics, and standards, powers, privileges, and immunity of members of parliament, and effective media engagement.
Along with these topics, the members will learn about the function of the legislature in the creation of the budget, the function of select committees in parliamentary oversight, parliamentary diplomacy, networking, and assistance, protocol and etiquette, managing business in a bicameral system, and emerging issues in national, regional, and international security.