Today's Headlines
- Lessons and Implications of the Confirmation of Charges Against Kenya's 'Ocampo Four'
- Finance Minister Quits Over ICC Charges
- Shortage of HIV Test Kits Raises Concerns
- Living On the Edge in Turkana Region
- Ali Breaks Silence, Describes Delight At Acquittal
- Uhuru, Ruto Eligible for Presidency - CIC
- Tea Sector Posts Record Earnings in 2011
- Resettle IDPs, Urges Annan
- Uhuru, Muthaura Have Done the Right Thing
- All Displaced People Should Return Home
- Concern Raised As Parents Shun Schools in Poll Violence Hotspots
- Ruling On IEBC Hiring in February
- Country Working Towards Conditions Needed for Direct Flights to U.S.
- How ICC Claimed Kibaki's Lieutenants
- Geothermal Project to Receive Sh10 Billion Funding Boost
- Five Million to Get IDs Before Elections
- Speed Up Building Port
- Uhuru and Muthaura Did Well to Quit Posts
- A Full Plate Awaits Githae
- Clashes Continue in Moyale
- Baraza Case to Be Heard Monday
- Two Firms in Joint Venture to Drill for Oil Near Lodwar
- Exit Uhuru, Muthaura
- ICC Charges Hound Uhuru Out of Treasury
- Consumers Grow Despite Inflation
- Poor Relations Between Banks Blamed for Cash Shortages
- Fish Prices Up As Vegetable Supply Dwindles
- Consumers to Pay More for Milk and Bread As Prices Rise
- Kibaki Tasks Ex-Dar CJ to Lead Probe in Kenya
- Mombasa Port Cargo Congestion Forces Three-Month Fees Waiver
1 September 2010
Nairobi — Parliament on Wednesday got a major boost when the United States gave it about Sh800 million to support its implementation of the new Constitution.
US ambassador to Kenya Michael Ranneberger announced the funding, which will be channelled through the State University of New York-Kenya, in Nairobi on Wednesday.
National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende and Clerk Patrick Gichohi welcomed the donation.
Commending Mr Marende and the 10th Parliament for "strong and historic leadership in Kenya's momentous governance reform process," Mr Ranneberger said the money would go towards supporting the work of Parliament to implement the new Constitution.
"We will intensify support for parliamentary committees and research and technical assistance for parliamentarians. We will build the capacity of staff and other technical units of Parliament," he said.
"I want to emphasise that as a partner, my government's approach is to help Parliament to implement its plans and agenda -- what Parliament has identified as its priorities," the envoy said.
The work of the Parliamentary Select Committee on the Constitution and the growing assertiveness of oversight committees were testimony to Parliament's leadership in improving governance, he said.
"The Kenyan Parliament has facilitated and led the reform agenda by example. We are delighted to note the very bold reforms that the Speaker and other leaders of Parliament have put in place in a very short space of time," he added.
For the last 10 years, the US has partnered the Kenyan Parliament through the Kenya Parliamentary Strengthening Programme to support reforms.
"Today the Parliament is unquestionably more accessible, more accountable and more independent," said Mr Ranneberger.
Mr Marende cited the Sh7 million press centre, staff capacity building and structural reforms as some of the fruits of that collaboration.
Thanking the US for its support, Mr Marende said the next area of focus would be the establishment of the senate and sustaining the reforms.
