MPs head to Mombasa for retreat with Judiciary on agenda

National Assembly begins two-day retreat in Mombasa from Thursday, August 21. [File, Standard]

MPs will begin a two-day retreat in Mombasa on Thursday, August 21, to review Parliament's mandate and later hold joint talks with the Judiciary.

Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, who will preside over the forum, said the meeting is themed "Renewing Leadership Synergy and Comity for Responsible Discharge of the Mandate of the National Assembly."

The first day will focus on evaluating progress in fulfilling the Assembly's constitutional duties and reviewing resolutions adopted during a similar meeting in January.

Addressing the House on Tuesday, Wetang'ula urged members to uphold Parliament's credibility in the face of public criticism.

"Our integrity must be beyond reproach. We must be like Caesar's wife, whom nobody could suspect," said Wetang'ula.

On Friday, MPs will hold a joint session with the Judiciary. Wetang'ula confirmed that the Assembly will meet with Chief Justice Martha Koome and other senior judicial officers to deliberate on strengthening cooperation while respecting the independence of both arms of government.

"We will have a colloquium with the Judiciary to openly examine our relationship, to face each other and to ask hard questions," noted Wetang'ula, who will chair the session.

The panel will include former Zambian Speaker Patrick Matibini, retired Supreme Court Judge Njoki Ndung'u and Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo.

Discussions will centre on parliamentary oversight of the Judiciary, parliamentary privilege and the mutual obligations of both institutions. Parliament enacts laws that affect judicial operations and controls budgetary allocations to the courts.

The retreat will also address internal parliamentary affairs, with outcomes expected to be shared with MPs when the House reconvenes after its month-long recess.