Visit of the Honourable Greg Fergus, P.C., M.P., Speaker of the House of Commons, and a Parliamentary Delegation, Republic of Kenya and Republic of Rwanda

 

From April 2 to 7, 2024, the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Greg Fergus, P.C., M.P., led a parliamentary delegation to the Republic of Kenya and the Republic of Rwanda. The delegation consisted of Mr. Richard Cannings, M.P., Mr. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, M.P., and Ms. Arielle Kayabaga, M.P. Accompanying the delegation were Mr. Anthony Carricato, Director of Operations, Office of the Speaker of the House of Commons, and Ms. Vanessa Moss-Norbury, Secretary to the delegation.

In Nairobi, Kenya the delegation met with the following officials and organizations:

• The Right Honourable Moses M. Wetang'ula, EGH, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly;
• Senator Veronica W. Maina;
• The Hon. Sankaire Leah Soipato, Chairperson of the Kenya Women Parliamentary Association (KEWOPA) and Members of KEWOPA;
• Members of the Kenyan Parliamentary Leadership;
• The Hon. Rachel Ameso, Chair of the Board of The Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training;
• Éliane Ubalijoro, Chief Executive Officer, The World Agroforestry Centre;
• The Canadian Parliamentary Centre;
• International Development Research Centre; and
• The Institute on Migration.

In Kigali, Rwanda the delegation met with the following officials:

• The Right Honourable Donatille Mukabarisa, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies;
• Dr. Valentine Uwamariya, Minister of Gender and Family Promotion;
• Dr. Jean-Damascene Bizimana, Minister of National Unity & Civic Engagement; and
• Mr. Alexis Kamuhire, Rwanda’s Auditor General and Members of the Parliament Public Account Committee.

In both countries, the delegation was also privileged to meet with members of civil society, including a visit to the Mbyo Reconciliation Village in Rwanda.

In addition to making connections between parliaments, the purpose of the visit to Kenya and Rwanda was to strengthen bilateral relations, to inform and exchange on human rights issues, and to support diversity. In Rwanda, the delegation was also honoured to take part in the official commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsis.

The report will be available once it has been tabled in the House of Commons.