The Parliament of Kenya’s representatives to the Pan African Parliament (PAP) were sworn in earlier at the Continent's Legislature’s seat in Midrand, South Africa on Tuesday.
The members drawn from the two Houses are: Jude Njomo, Beatrice Kones, Janet Ong'era, Senator Stewart Madzayo and Senator (Dr.) Abdullahi Ali. Kenya's Deputy High Commissioner to South Africa, Amb. Lemarron Kaanto, attended the swearing-in ceremony.
The Assembly had earlier witnessed the swearing-in of notable Members of the South African Parliament elected to PAP including the Economic Freedom Fighters’ leader, Julius Malema, National Council of Provinces Chairperson Thandi Modise (equivalent of Kenya’s Speaker of Senate), and Mandla Mandela (Nelson Mandela’s grandson).
The Pan-African Parliament (PAP) was established to promote the Pan African ideals of cooperation and unity among African States.
These ideals were inspired the signing of the Treaty establishing the African Economic Community (Abuja Treaty) on 3rd June, 1991 and the adoption of the Sirte declaration of 1999.
The purpose of the PAP, as set out in article 17 of the African Union (AU) Constitutive Act (2000), is to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the development and economic integration of the continent.
Also known as the African Parliament, the Pan African Parliament is the legislative body of the African Union.
The Assembly held its inaugural session in March 2004 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Parliament is intended as a platform for people from all African states to be involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent.
The PAP is made up of up to 250 members, with each of the 50 AU Member States that have ratified the PAP Protocol represented by five (5) members. The representatives are elected by the legislatures of AU Member States, rather than being directly elected in their own capacity.
The Parliament of Kenya nominate sitting members by way of resolutions in the two Houses of Parliament.
The Senate and the National Assembly nominates two (2)and three (3) members respectively, with one Senator serving as the head of delegation.