By Dishon Amanya โ Bungoma
๐๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ง๐ฌ๐๐ฒ, ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ฌ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ
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๐ซ๐ข๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐
The Speaker of the National Assembly, the Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetangโula, today represented the Africa Region at the Standing Committee Meeting of the Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers of the Commonwealth (CSPOC) in Guernsey, Channel Islands.
In his capacity as a Member of the CSPOC Standing Committee, Speaker Wetangโula championed the interests of Africa, emphasizing the need for the continentโs unique challenges and opportunities to feature prominently on the global stage.
โI am here as a Member of the CSPOC Standing Committee to represent the Africa Region. It is imperative that the specific issues facing our continent are addressed in these global forums,โ he stated during the meeting.
The Speaker highlighted Africaโs immense potential, calling for greater attention to key sectors such as trade, tourism, agriculture, and technological advancement. โAfrica is a rich continent that deserves proper attention in these areas,โ he noted.
Expressing optimism about the outcomes of the deliberations, Hon. Wetangโula remarked, โI thank my fellow Speakers for their collaboration and look forward to the implementation of the agreed agenda among the Commonwealth nations.โ
The meeting, chaired by Hon. Om Birla (India) focused on finalizing the agenda for the upcoming 28th CSPOC Conference, scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India, later this year.
A significant topic discussed was the misuse of social media and the spread of fake news, with delegates expressing concern about its impact on public messaging across nations. Additionally, the committee confirmed that the CSPOC general conference will be held in New Delhi in 2026, while the Standing Committee will convene in Trinidad and Tobago in 2027.
โThis meeting represents a significant opportunity to ensure that Africaโs voice resonates strongly in the Commonwealthโs legislative and governance agenda,โ Hon. Wetangโula noted, emphasizing the need for enhanced parliamentary diplomacy and peer exchange to strengthen legislation within member states.
Delegates also addressed the importance of language inclusivity in their engagements, considering the diverse nationalities represented within the Commonwealth, to ensure effective communication.
Established in 1969, CSPOC fosters dialogue and collaboration among speakers and presides officers of Commonwealth member states, promoting best practices in parliamentary governance.
Hon. Wetangโula was accompanied by an esteemed delegation, including Kenyaโs High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb. Catherine Karemu, the Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Mr. Jeremiah Ndombi, and the Chief of Staff in the Speakerโs Office, Mr. Benson Milimo.
Other distinguished members of the CSPOC Standing Committee in attendance included Hon. Sir Lindsay Hoyle (United Kingdom), Hon. Greg Fergus (Canada), Hon. Milton Dick (Australia), Sir Richard McMahon (Guernsey), Papaliโi Liโo Oloipola Taeu Masipau (Samoa), Bridgid Annisette-George (Trinidad and Tobago), and Lord Fakafanua (Tonga).
