The National Assembly Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee has rooted for more structured engagements on African Union Affairs between members and the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.

This follows recommendations adopted by Members in a Report of the Committee Delegation that participated in the 36th Ordinary Session of the AU held in Addis Ababa Ethiopia in February this year.

Members, also recommended in the Report that the Ministry, Departments and Agencies overseeing Kenya’s implementation of African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) 2022-2027 strategy should be more robust in follow-up mechanisms to maximize on Kenya’s benefits from the initiative.

Committee Chair Hon. Nelson Koech said Members’ input in regional and continental issues was important to safeguard the country’s interests in the Global league of Nations.

“That is why we will be taking a more central role on issues around the AU and other regional bodies alongside the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as part of our oversight Mandate,” said Hon. Koech.

During the February AU Meeting, the delegation comprised Vice-Chair Hon. Major (Rtd) Bashir Abdullah (Mandera-North), Hon. Martha Wangari (Gilgil) and two Parliamentary officers.

Among key outcomes of the meeting was a call for more commitment among AU member states to achieve Continental and global goals for nutrition ahead of the 2025 World Health Assembly Nutrition Target deadline.

There was also a call for Member States to double the spirit of Pan-Africanism, Solidarity and Brotherhood by accelerating the operationalization of AfCFTA.