The Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) is leveraging emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) to streamline operations, cut paperwork and enhance public engagement in the bicameral parliament.
Speaking at the PSC stand at the Mombasa International A.S.K Show, Harrison Owino, chairperson of the Parliamentary Taskforce Committee, affirmed that parliament is committed to digitising its contents.
“We are embracing the use of AI in most of our applications so that we can reach out to many Kenyans. We can reach out to other stakeholders and with the minimum cost, that is why we are using AI,” said Owino, adding that parliament is also using social media platforms to reach out to the youths.
PSC is finalising preparations ahead of the official opening of the five-day A.S.K. show to display a mock chamber depicting the official procedures of parliament.
The mock chamber at this year’s show will accord students and the public an opportunity to experience being a Speaker, a Member of Parliament, a Clerk of Parliament, and a Sergeant-At-Arms, among other roles, as they emulate the sitting of the House.
Mr. Owino said they are keen to showcase the works of the bicameral parliament to the public. There will also be highlights on the Budget-Making process through an organised media round-table, transmitted live from the PSC Stand.
“The bottom line here is how parliament connects with the people. It is important to get to know how parliament connects with the people, not to the people. We want to involve the people in every process that we have in parliament,” stated Owino.
For the first time in the history of A.S.K. shows, parliament will showcase practically the use of the August house chambers in debates. Four schools from the coast region have been invited to debate on thematic areas related to climate change.
“Through parliamentary debates, we come up with legislation and policies that support climate change and also sustainable economic growth. Out of those policies, we can be able to influence agricultural activities, the backbone of our economy,” elucidated the Chairman.
Members of the Agriculture and Broadcasting committees and PSC Commissioners have been invited to discuss matters relating to this year’s Mombasa International show theme, “Promoting Climate-Smart Agriculture and trade initiatives for sustainable economic growth”, and issues affecting the coastal region.
The stand will also exhibit the history of parliament, which has evolved over the years from 1907, when there were only seven members, to the current 349 Members of the National Assembly and 67 members of the Senate.
PSC plans to replicate the same to all the counties for learners and the general public to get a better understanding of parliament operations and save them the cost of travelling to the capital city.
“The reason that we have come down here is that we want to limit students coming to Nairobi to see what is happening in parliament. Once they come here, they will get that experience,” said Owino.
By Sadik Hassan
