Report

Ms. Alexandra Mendès M.P. attended the Post-Election Seminar in Mombasa, Kenya, as the Vice-Chairperson of the International Executive Committee of CPA from March 4th to 8th, 2018.

Newly elected and returning Members of the National Assembly of Kenya were offered the possibility of strengthening their knowledge of parliamentary practice and procedure at a Post-Election Seminar, held jointly with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) in Mombasa, Kenya, from March 4th to 8th, 2018. The CPA Post-Election Seminar focused on the theme of ‘Sharing our experiences to enhance good governance and continually safeguard the welfare of the nation’ which enabled recently elected Parliamentarians to gain a broader understanding of the principles of parliamentary democracy and strengthen their skillsets.

The host, the Hon. Justin B. N. Muturi, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya opened the seminar and said: “Parliaments must remain an inspiration to society, and they must also carry the burden of actualising these aspirations. Parliaments remain an intrinsic component of the success that the Commonwealth has leveraged to enhance democracy and propagate good governance". Other parliamentarians that attended the seminar included Hon. Moses Cheboi, M.P., Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya; the Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Aden Duale, M.P.; and the Leader of the Minority Party, Hon. John Mbadi, M.P.

The CPA Secretary-General, Mr. Akbar Khan, addressed the opening of the seminar and said: “The CPA Post-Election Seminars serve as reflection of the ‘mutuality of learning’ which is at the heart of our CPA mandate of connecting, developing and promoting a community of Parliaments and Parliamentarians who individually and collectively strengthen their commitment to democratic governance across our Commonwealth."

Kenya is one of the largest legislatures in the CPA’s membership and over 300 delegates participated in the three-day seminar, which gave Members the opportunity to better understand the parliamentary systems and democratic processes in other Commonwealth jurisdictions. Ms. Alexandra Mendès, M.P., CPA Vice-Chairperson, and Member of the Federal Parliament of Canada spoke about Party discipline (the Whip’s role and Caucus), parliamentary ethics, and codes of conduct. The Hon. Dr Patrick Matibini, Speaker of the National Assembly of Zambia and Hon. Lady Justice Philomena Mwilu, MGH, Deputy Chief Justice and Vice President Supreme Court of Kenya spoke about the importance of the separation of powers between the legislature, the executive and the judiciary.

Senator Lucy Gichuhi, from the Federal Parliament of Australia, spoke about her experiences as a woman Member of Parliament; Mr. Tom Duncan, Clerk of the Legislative Assembly for the Australian Capital Territory and CPA Australia Regional Secretary presented on overcoming the challenges of managing parliamentary business; and Mr. Jerry Hartz, Director of Government Relations at the National Democratic Institute, highlighted the differences between the Westminster parliamentary system with the American legislative process.

Conclusion

From a Canadian parliamentarian perspective, the opportunity to participate and contribute in a seminar such as the one offered by the National Assembly of Kenya, gives Canada a unique chance to exchange ideas on best practices within the Westminster system. As well it gives us the opportunity to compare and contrast the many ways Commonwealth countries adjust the Westminster tradition to their realities and needs.

Any legislative body is only as good as those who learn to function within its procedures, rules and traditions. A post-election seminar offered to newly-elected MPs is a good start. And for those who participate as resource-persons, it’s another opportunity to learn and exchange on best-practices.

Respectfully submitted,

Yasmin Ratansi, M.P.
Chair of the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA)