Kenya and India are set to deepen their longstanding Parliamentary and bilateral ties as National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula begins an official visit to New Delhi, at the invitation of his Indian counterpart, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla.
Speaker Wetang’ula arrived in the Indian capital on Tuesday for high-level engagements aimed at strengthening parliamentary diplomacy and advancing shared interests between the two countries.
Upon arrival, he was received by Kenya’s Deputy Head of Mission to India, Ambassador Mary Mutuku, alongside Umeshbhai Babubhai Patel, Member of the Lok Sabha.
Speaking during the visit, Wetang’ula said Kenya and India share “a historic and enduring partnership” founded on mutual respect, shared democratic values and strong people-to-people ties that date back decades.
He noted that parliamentary diplomacy provides an important platform for the two countries to deepen cooperation, exchange legislative experiences and strengthen the institutions that underpin their democratic systems.
“Parliament has an important role in advancing our shared interests and fostering stronger relations between our two nations,” Wetang’ula said.
The Speaker said his engagement with Indian parliamentary leaders would offer an opportunity to explore new areas of cooperation and to strengthen existing institutional links between Kenya’s National Assembly and the Lok Sabha. Key areas of interest include legislative oversight, committee work, and staff capacity building.
The visit comes as Kenya continues to expand its diplomatic and economic engagement with India, a relationship that has deepened through trade, investment, education, technology, health, and cultural exchange.
Wetang’ula said that stronger parliamentary relations would complement the broader diplomatic ties between Nairobi and New Delhi and help translate government agreements into laws and policies that benefit citizens.
He noted that legislators have a critical role in creating platforms for dialogue and sharing experiences on legislative processes, parliamentary administration, public participation and democratic governance.
The visit is also expected to strengthen cooperation between lawmakers from the two countries while opening opportunities for greater institutional collaboration, including exchange programs and joint forums.
Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla welcomed Wetang’ula and said the partnership between the two Parliaments was entering a new phase.
“India and Kenya share deep historical links and democratic traditions. Through enhanced parliamentary exchanges, we can learn from each other and work together to address the aspirations of our people,” Birla said.
He added; “We are critically examining our collaborative approaches. The partnership is beyond the usual parliamentary operations. We are also seeking exchange programs for our members of Parliament and staff.”
Speaker Wetang’ula’s visit carries significance beyond the parliamentary chambers, reflecting the broader friendship between Kenya and India and the two countries’ commitment to South-South cooperation.
The engagements in New Delhi are expected to reinforce longstanding bonds while creating new opportunities for cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade facilitation and digital innovation.
The Speaker’s visit ultimately underscores the growing role of Parliament in strengthening international relations through dialogue, collaboration and institutional partnerships.
By Joseph Ng’ang’a
