Kenya Embassy Ireland

A delegation of the Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations of the National Assembly of Kenya has visited Ireland as part of international tour to help foster Kenya's foreign policy. As part of their official programme in Dublin, the Parliamentary Committee held extensive dialogue with the Kenyan Diaspora at a meeting hosted by the Embassy. The purpose of the meeting was to give the Members of the Committee an opportunity to receive first-hand information on the challenges facing Kenyans in Ireland as well as their views and suggestions on national development issues.

In his welcoming remarks Mr. Richard Lemoshira, Charge D'Affaires, a.i., welcomed the Kenyans Diaspora and encouraged them to seize the opportunity to inform the Honourable Members of the Committee on issues of thier concern both while in Ireland and as regards their interests at home. He further noted that the Embassy recognises the important role of Parliament in helping Kenya better articulate its foreign policy and emphasised on the need for the Kenyans in Ireland to make maximum use of the services provided by the Embassy.

  

In his address to the Kenyans in attendance, Hon. Adan Keynan noted that Kenya has continued to record significant progress in improving governance. These includes the strengthening of the independence of Parliament through

 effective separation of powers and opening of its proceedings to the public, both which have contributed significantly in giving Kenyans a greater say in national issues through effective representation. Honourable Keynan further briefed the participants on the terms of reference of the visit which include review of the Embassy's operations and invited them to give their objective views on how best the government can assist them to play a better role in optimizing their presence abroad for the benefit of Kenya and its people.  The Members of the Committee further encouraged Kenyans in Ireland to make the best use of the Mission and to support its activities towards promoting Kenya's national interest in Ireland. 

In their shared response, the Kenyans thanked the delegation for the visit and articulated various challenges facing the Diaspora. They further urged for collective action on the part of Parliament to help drive national progress.  The members of the Parliamentary delegation include Members of Parliament Hon. Jeremiah Kioni, Hon. Benedict F. Gunda, Hon. Wlison M. Litole, Hon. Peter E.O. Anyanga, Hon. Charles Kilonzo and the Secretary to the Committee Mr. Emejen Nicholas.  Other countries in the programme for the Parliamentary delegation are Turkey and United Kingdom. The Parliamentary Members encouraged Kenyans in Diaspora to study the draft Harmonised Constitution in order to add value given their in-depth experiences in the various sectors abroad. 

During the visit the Parliamentary delegation also held detailed consultations with the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs of Ireland chaired by Hon. Dr. Michael Woods. The purpose of the meeting was to exchange experiences in the roel of Parliament in foreign policy, jointly evaluate the status of the bilateral relations and seek common approach in strengthening cooperation in various fields of mutual interests to the two countries.  At the meeting hosted at the Leinster House (Irish Parliament building), the Chairman of the Committee Hon. Keynan expressed the gratitude of the people of Kenya for the support Ireland has continued to give Kenya and assured that Kenya is making progress in its reform agenda with a draft Constitution only released for public debate. He further appreciated Ireland's prompt response to Koffi Annan led mediation process and the visit by Ireland's former Foreign Minister Mr. Dermot Ahern visited to Kenya to encourage peace and reconciliation in Kenya.

      

Hon. Dr. Woods welcomed the Kenyan delegation and further noted that Kenya and Ireland have strong historical relations. He further concurred on purpose of the visit and that it is to the interests of the Irish Parliament to work closely with the Kenyan Parliament to promote democracy and good governance as the basis for sustainable progress.  The two sides agreed to seek to strengthen people to people relations between the two countries through inter-parliamentary cooperation.  On fostering relations, the two sides agreed to explore establishment of an Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group. The Kenyan side further extended to an invitation for a reciprocity visit to Kenya by the Joint Committee of Foreign Affairs of Ireland.The Kenyan Committee also paid courtesay call on the speaker to the Irish Parliament Honourable Séamus Kirk.

As part of their terms of reference for the visit to Ireland, the Committee held detailed discussions with the Staff on the operations of the Embassy and its efforts to promote Kenya's economic interests as a key component of Kenya's foreign policy.