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"id": 726750,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. A.B. Duale",
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"legal_name": "Aden Bare Duale",
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"content": "2015. Now, we can stand in this House and say that today, as a country, we have Kenya’s foreign policy launched by the President and documented. On many fronts on how we relate with other countries, we have a document that can guide the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Kenya’s foreign policy. This policy was aimed at achieving several national objectives which include, among others, the promotion of integration. How do we promote East African integration? How do we promote economic integration, political integration and social integration among the people of East Africa? The document talks about the advancement of economic prosperity of Kenya. Our engagement with other countries, both bilateral and multilateral, will be based on the economic prosperity of our nation. The document known as the ‘Kenyan Foreign Policy’ promotes multilateralism. Above all, it enhances regional peace and security. That is why we are number one, and the President has said it in both words and actions, that when we have regional peace and stability, Kenya will prosper. That is why you saw him in Mogadishu yesterday during the inauguration of the 9th President of the Federal Republic of Somalia. In his speech, he said that he was committed to ensuring that there is regional peace and stability, as well as to the war against terror in the Horn of Africa. Hon. Speaker, Kenya’s international obligation arises from the treaties and the conventions we have ratified in accordance with Article 2(6) of the Constitution, which provides that any treaty that Kenya ratifies automatically becomes part of the Kenyan Law. However, Article 94(5) vests the power of making law on Parliament. That means Parliament must sanction the ratification of any treaty for it to have the force of law. Therefore, within the reading of Article 94(5), the 11th Parliament will go into history as the first Parliament to have powers in ratifying treaties that the Executive enters into with other countries, on behalf of the people of Kenya. It is notable that Kenya joined the United Nations (UN) in December 1963 as a member of the international community. Since then, we have ratified and acceded to various international treaties and conventions, which have derived a lot of benefits for the Republic of Kenya. In the process, we assumed various international obligations. Treaties promote peaceful coexistence among nations, as the main purpose of multilateral and bilateral relations. They safeguard the common principles and values that bind the world together. Globalisation has intensified interdependence amongst nations of the world in technology, innovation, international trade and development as well as addressing transnational security challenges. As a member of several international organisations in the international system, Kenya continues to pursue her national interest first in all her engagements in the international arena, and she has a favourable international profile. Kenya’s efforts have resulted in successful multilateral engagements, leading to her becoming an attractive investment destination. The African Union Institute for Remittances is now operational and is headquartered in Nairobi, while the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has been upgraded and now has a universal character with membership increasing from the previous 54 member states to the entire membership of the UN of 193 members. Kenya’s profile in the international system has been rising highly with the hosting of the 6th Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD) in August 2016, the Global Partnership Summit, which was officially opened by former US President Barack Obama, and the 10th World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference in December 2015, to mention, but a few. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}