Speaker of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang'ula, has commended Members of the National Assembly for working diligently in exercising their roles in the House.  Speaker Wetang’ula made these remarks on Tuesday 19^th September, 2023 when he officially opened the National Assembly Leadership Retreat.

The retreat themed “Building Synergy in Leadership: Enhancing the Legislative Agenda in the National Assembly” brings together the leaders in the National Assembly including the Speaker, Parliamentary Service Commissioners, Deputy Speaker, leaders of the Majority Party, leaders of Minority Party and Committee chairpersons and vice-chairpersons.

Making his opening remarks, the Hon. Speaker commended Members on the accomplishments within the First and part of the Second Session. 

"I would like to commend Members for working diligently in exercising their legislative authority and dispensing with matters of national importance. The challenges we face are intricate and interconnected. It is imperative, therefore, that we come together as leaders to deliberate, strategize, and build a roadmap for the future," Hon. Wetang'ula said.

Making his remarks, the Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichung'wah (Kikuyu), expressed gratitude to the Liaison Committee and respective Chairs of Committees for their unwavering support with regard to processing of the House Business. He also called upon Members not to tire of rendering their legislative duties to the people.

"As we embark on this journey of reflection, planning and collaboration, it is imperative that we engage in constructive discussions and share experiences that will not only better serve and improve the lives, hopes and aspirations of the citizens of this great nation, but also make us better leaders individually and collectively," said Hon. Ichung'wah.

 The Leader of the Minority Party, Hon. Opiyo Wandayi (Ugunja), noted that the efficiency and effectiveness of the Committees is very vital to the progress of the House Business.

"Whereas some Committees have done their work, a lot more needs to be done in the plenary. We need to strengthen the linkage between the House Business Committee (HBC), the Liaison Committee and various other committees for proper functioning of the House. Our work in the Committees impacts the working of the plenary. The two are intertwined," Hon. Wandayi said.

Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Samuel Njoroge, said the retreat was important as it would determine the performance of the 13^th Parliament.

"This inaugural Leadership Retreat is of great strategic importance and is intended to set the overarching agenda of the House; both the legislative and procedural. This framework will ultimately determine how the 13th Parliament performs its threefold constitutional mandate of legislation, oversight and representation as envisioned in the Constitution," said Mr. Njoroge.