The Transitional National Legislature of South Sudan is in Kenya to study the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) practices. The delegation, led by Chairperson Stephen Ajongo Akol, seeks to improve legislative functions. PSC Chairperson Moses Wetangula expressed Kenya’s commitment to support South Sudan’s parliamentary development and highlighted the importance of inclusivity in governance. South Sudanese lawmakers praised Kenya’s parliamentary reforms and aim to adopt best practices.
The Transitional National Legislature of South Sudan is currently in Kenya to observe the functioning of the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC). According to a National Assembly statement, the new commission aims to improve its operational effectiveness to bolster legislative and oversight roles. Led by Chairperson Stephen Ajongo Akol, the commission met with PSC Chairperson Moses Wetangula on Wednesday, March 12, at the Parliament buildings.
During this visit, Akol explained, “We are here for benchmarking; our commission is new,” and he was accompanied by several members of parliament. The delegation highlighted the PSC of Kenya as a model for best practices, emphasizing their desire to learn practical approaches to enhance their own system.
Wetangula, recalling his role as Kenya’s Foreign Minister during South Sudan’s independence on July 9, 2011, reaffirmed Kenya’s ongoing support for South Sudan. He stated, “Your country was midwifed in Kenya. The peace you enjoy today is, in many ways, a product of Kenya’s dedication to ensuring stability in the region. We will be proud when you succeed.”
He expressed his dedication to aiding South Sudan in developing robust parliamentary systems, urging them to visit the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST), which focuses on building capabilities for MPs and parliamentary staff. Faith Gitau, an MP and head of Staff Welfare at PSC, emphasized inclusivity, stating, “PSC serves all members irrespective of their political parties. We treat them equally, not equitably.”
The South Sudanese legislators commended Kenya’s parliamentary reforms and expressed interest in adopting various practices, particularly in governance and legislative efficiency. MP Mary Wani remarked, “If we are to undertake significant reforms, we must look to Kenya. We have learned invaluable lessons from this visit.”
The visit of South Sudan’s Transitional National Legislature to Kenya underscores the importance of cooperation and exchange of best practices in parliamentary governance. With the support of Kenya, South Sudan aims to enhance its legislative capabilities and implement effective reforms. The insights gained from this benchmarking exercise will be instrumental in shaping the future of South Sudan’s parliamentary system, ensuring stronger governance and legislative oversight.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
