Ekwee Ethuro elected to global parliament

Kenya has won a seat at the global parliamentary body based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Legislators drawn from 167 countries across the world have elected Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro to a prestigious global office at the 133rd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) assembly meeting.

Speaker Ekwee Ethuro addressing the 133rd IPU Assembly meeting in Geneva, Switzerland. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

Mr Ethuro (pictured) will now represent the Eastern Africa region in the Executive Committee of the IPU, where the Kenyan Parliament is a member. The union works through established standing committees, headed by a governing council and an executive committee.

The executive committee comprises of 15 members, who are elected by the governing council for a four-year term. The election took place during the conference, which seeks to foster peace, co-operation and democracy.

Ethuro's election comes at a time the national leadership has invigorated efforts to market Kenya by placing her at the apex of international diplomacy.

"I appreciate the trust bestowed on me by my colleagues in the region. I indeed assure them of my commitment to ably represent them in the executive committee of the IPU as we work together towards making the world a better place," said Ethuro while delivering his acceptance speech.

The speaker observed that Kenya now holds three key positions within the IPU, which include the two memberships of committees held by nominated Senator Catherine Mukiite and Pokot South MP David Pkosing.

He pledged to work closely with his global colleagues to ensure they co-ordinate and share experiences.