Last week saw Kenyan Senators grace Berlin for a whole week. The Senators arrived right after the MPs left. The MPs had been to Berlin on a benchmarking visit. (Read: Kenyan MPs in Berlin for Week Long Benchmarking)
The delegation of Senators was led by Sen. Kembi Gitura. The one week study visit (i.e. 4th – 13th April, 2014) was organized by Centre for International Development- State University of New York with funds from USAID and DFID.
The other members of delegation were:
- Sen. Moses Wetang’ula – Leader of Minority,
- Sen. Abdirahman Ali Hassan – Deputy Leader of Minority,
- Sen. Amos Wako,
- Sen. Yusuf Haji,
- Sen. Johnson Muthama,
- Sen. Elizabeth Ongoro Omollo,
- Sen. Charles Keter,
- Sen. Kennedy Okong’o,
- Sen. Gideon Moi,
- Sen. Kisasa Mshenga Mvita and
- staff from the Senate and State University of New York.
In the period, the Senators held various discussions with Germany officials amongst them: officials from the Bundestag, Federal Foreign Ministry, Konrad Adenaur Foundation, Christian Democratic Union (CDU), The Green Party, Brandenburg Landtag and Mecklenburg – Vorpommern Landtag. In addition, the delegation paid a courtesy call to the Kenya Embassy.
At the meeting with Konrad Adenaur Foundation, the Senators appreciated the historical support to Kenya from Germany’s Foundations headquartered in Nairobi especially during the constitution making process, governance, democracy, rule of law and human rights issues. They appealed for continued engagement in these sectors and initiating working partnerships with political parties and county governments.
During the meeting with the Federal Foreign Office officials, Kenya was applauded for her forefront role in the search for peace and economic development in the Horn of Africa and East African Community. Germany Government assured of her steady support towards Kenya’s quest for peace in the region and EAC integration process. In addition, Germany will continue to cooperate with Kenya Government in addressing terrorism challenges.
