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{
"id": 1559932,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559932/?format=api",
"text_counter": 923,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mandera North, UDM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Major (Rtd) Abdullahi Sheikh",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Hon. Deputy Speaker, to ensure transparency and results, the Committee observed that the Sessional Paper is anchored in a rigorous results framework. This includes both mid-term and end-term reviews that are aligned with the national integrated monitoring and evaluation systems, ministerial strategic plans and annual performance contracts. Those tools will not only ensure institutional accountability, but also allow Parliament to track the implementation of foreign policy goals in measurable terms."
},
{
"id": 1559933,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559933/?format=api",
"text_counter": 924,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mandera North, UDM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Major (Rtd) Abdullahi Sheikh",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Legislatively, the Policy calls for updates to the Foreign Service Act (Cap.185E) and Privileges and Immunities Act (Cap.179) to institutionalise professionalism, enhance Nairobi's role as a diplomatic hub and align Kenya's diplomacy with international standards. In line with Article 118(1)(b) of the Constitution, the Committee ensured robust public participation in its review of the Sessional Paper. A public call for memoranda published on 19th February 2025 yielded six submissions from key stakeholders. While some proposals echoed existing policy provisions or lay outside the Sessional Paper’s scope, all contributions enriched the Committee's deliberations. They reinforced transparency, accountability and institutional integrity in Kenya's foreign policy-making process."
},
{
"id": 1559934,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559934/?format=api",
"text_counter": 925,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mandera North, UDM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Major (Rtd) Abdullahi Sheikh",
"speaker": null,
"content": "The Committee observed that the Policy is forward-looking and constitutionally grounded. It positions Kenya as a strategic global actor, anchored in peace and security, economic diplomacy, oceans and blue economy, multilateralism, climate action, innovation, diaspora engagement and socio-cultural diplomacy, which are all aligned with our constitutional mandates. However, the Committee noted the implementation hurdles of this Sessional Paper No.1. Weak legal frameworks, institutional inefficiencies, underfunded missions, lack of labour migration policies and poor strategic communication hinder its impact. Those gaps undermine Articles 10, 16, 19 and 232 of our Constitution which call for reforms, increased funding and coherent public diplomacy strategy to protect national interest. Hon. Deputy Speaker, in conclusion, the Committee urges the House to adopt this Report and approve Sessional Paper No.1 of 2025 on the Foreign Policy of the Republic of Kenya as Kenya's Alternative Foreign Policy. Its adoption will ensure coherence across all democratic legislation and initiatives. It will fortify Kenya's voice on the global stage, advance national interest and anchor international engagement in constitutional values and strategic clarity. It is the first time we have a Sessional Paper that talks about Kenya's Foreign Policy. As a Committee, we looked at it, engaged all the stakeholders and had a retreat with the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs. We agreed that this is the right way to go. The document is a bit voluminous. From time to time, Kenyans and even Members of Parliament ask about Kenya's Foreign Policy. Is it documented? Is it in writing? Is it anchored in the Constitution? We now have a document that is well-grounded with a Sessional Paper. Any person who wants to discuss Kenya's Foreign Policy will refer to the Sessional Paper. People talk about Kenya. Where do we lie? Do we look East or West? I mentioned this before. As Kwame Nkrumah said, we look neither East nor West, but forward. This means that, as a country, we engage with any country that has Kenya's best interests at heart. This means our interests come first so that we can serve Kenyans, whether they are in Kenya or in the diaspora. 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."
},
{
"id": 1559935,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559935/?format=api",
"text_counter": 926,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Mandera North, UDM",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Major (Rtd) Abdullahi Sheikh",
"speaker": null,
"content": "With those few remarks, I beg to move and ask Hon. Kandie to second this Motion. Thank you."
},
{
"id": 1559936,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559936/?format=api",
"text_counter": 927,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Baringo Central, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. Joseph Kandie",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I rise to second the Motion on the Adoption of Sessional Paper No.1 of 2025 on Kenya’s Foreign Policy. It is titled: “The Grand Strategy to Position Kenya's Foreign Policy in the Global Landscape.” I commend the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations for its robust review and strategic recommendations. The Committee observed that the Sessional Paper does not shy away from confronting reality. It identifies key structural and systemic risks that are facing Kenya's foreign policy. These are apparatus ranging from legal and regulatory misalignments, forex fluctuations, shrinking global markets to climate shocks, rising cyber vulnerabilities, fiscal austerity and persistent regional instability. Those are not abstract concerns, but are real threats to Kenya's economic diplomacy, regional leadership and citizen welfare. The Sessional Paper recommends the adoption of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to optimise diplomatic assets. It is an innovative move that responds to budgetary constraints without compromising Kenya's global visibility. Most notably, the reclassification of the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs under the security sector, already approved by the Cabinet, acknowledges the evolving nexus between diplomacy, national security and strategic economic engagement. To sum up, the Committee is persuaded that this Sessional Paper is not merely a bureaucratic document. It is a blueprint for re-imagining Kenya’s place in the world with clarity, courage and constitutional fidelity. It lays the foundation for foreign policy, which is principled, pragmatic, and future-proof. Therefore, I urge this House to adopt the Paper as a strategic compass for Kenya's diplomacy in the 21st Century. I beg to second."
},
{
"id": 1559937,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559937/?format=api",
"text_counter": 928,
"type": "scene",
"speaker_name": "",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "(Question proposed)"
},
{
"id": 1559938,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559938/?format=api",
"text_counter": 929,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Deputy Speaker",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Hon. Murugara."
},
{
"id": 1559939,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559939/?format=api",
"text_counter": 930,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Tharaka, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. George Murugara",
"speaker": null,
"content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I support the Report of the Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations regarding this Sessional Paper, which has been brought to the House. Sometimes, the country is taken aback when we discuss sessional papers because they are not well-versed or well- informed about them. We have also not done much public participation regarding the same. I will give an example of Sessional Paper No.1 of 1965 on African Socialism. The Paper was laid by the then Minister for Economic Planning, the late Mr Joseph Thomas Mboya. It outlined how the country was to move forward as regards African socialism vis-a-vis its economic development. It was a good Paper and has brought us quite far. However, just because it was not well elaborated on, one Opposer of that Paper was the late Mr J.M. Kariuki, who in his debate in the House, made a point that, that Paper was creating 10 millionaires amongst 10 million poor Kenyans. That was taken to be the gospel truth and yet, it was misinformation. As we debate this Paper today, we must admit that we have not had a good foreign relations policy, especially a sessional paper on it, which is what this Paper tries to do. It will govern how our country will proceed with its foreign relations vis-a-vis the constitutional provisions and the statutes that relate to various Acts on foreign matters. Sometimes, it comes as a surprise when our own foreign relations personnel do not know what our foreign relations policy is. That cannot be encouraged. This Paper will now form part of the education to be given to those appointed to serve in our foreign missions out 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."
},
{
"id": 1559940,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559940/?format=api",
"text_counter": 931,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Tharaka, UDA",
"speaker_title": "Hon. George Murugara",
"speaker": null,
"content": "there as ambassadors, high commissioners and attachés. This is a good Paper, which I propose we support and adopt. We should then proceed to familiarise ourselves with what our foreign policy will be from now on. With those few remarks, I support the Sessional Paper."
},
{
"id": 1559941,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1559941/?format=api",
"text_counter": 932,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Hon. Deputy Speaker",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": null,
"content": "Is there any other Member who wants to contribute? Hon. Millie Odhiambo, Member for Suba North."
}
]
}