Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla today said that India and Kenya share historical and multifaceted relations dating back millennia. He noted that regular high-level engagements have continuously strengthened the bilateral relationship between the two countries.

Shri Birla made these remarks during his bilateral meeting with Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses M. Wetang'ula, EGH, Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya, at the Parliament House Complex today. Recalling his earlier meeting with Dr. Wetang'ula during the 28th CSPOC held in New Delhi earlier this year, he observed that Dr. Wetang'ula has extensive experience in public life and a distinguished career in law, legislation and administration, and has contributed significantly to strengthening governance for the benefit of the people of Kenya.

Emphasising the centuries-old people-to-people connect between India and Kenya, Shri Birla welcomed the decision of the Government of Kenya to recognize Persons of Indian Origin as an indigenous community, which further deepens relations between the two countries. He observed that both India and Kenya attach importance to democracy, inclusive development and human-centric progress. He added that this shared outlook gives the bilateral relationship special depth. Noting the influence of Mahatma Gandhi on Kenya’s struggle for freedom against colonial rule, Shri Birla observed that the Father of the Nation is regarded across the world as an enduring symbol of the peaceful struggle for truth and non-violence. He conveyed his sincere appreciation to Dr. Wetang'ula for agreeing to the installation of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in the Parliament of Kenya.

Shri Birla highlighted that as the world’s largest democracy, guided by the Constitution since Independence, India has achieved wide-ranging development and social transformation. He added that India’s electoral process witnesses extensive participation by the people, with approximately 970 million eligible voters, of whom around 650 million cast their votes. This reflects the people’s faith and confidence in democracy.

Observing that Parliament is the highest forum of democracy, where the hopes and aspirations of citizens find a voice, Shri Birla noted that parliamentary dialogue between India and Kenya is continuously growing stronger. Referring to the constitution of Parliamentary Friendship Groups in both countries, he emphasised that regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations can add new dimensions to parliamentary relations between the two countries.

Noting that programmes for Members and officials of the Kenyan Parliament, tailored to the specific requirements of the Parliament of Kenya, have been regularly organized by the Parliamentary Research and Training Institute for Democracies (PRIDE), Shri Birla said that in the changing global environment, the use of technology has become indispensable to parliamentary functioning. He added that the Parliament of India has leveraged Artificial Intelligence in its functioning to promote transparency, efficiency, inclusivity and public participation. He informed that India would be happy to share its experiences in this area with the Parliament of Kenya.

In response, Dr. Wetang'ula thanked Shri Birla for the warm welcome. He recalled that the 28th CSPOC held in New Delhi earlier this year was one of the best organized parliamentary events. He noted that people of Indian origin have made important contributions to the growth and development of Kenya, he stated that the Indian community is active in all walks of life, including in Parliament and Government. Dr. Wetang'ula underscored the strong relationship between the two countries, especially in global multilateral forums such as the United Nations. He also called for democratic reforms of the United Nations Security Council and for India’s inclusion as a Permanent Member to better reflect the realities of the 21st century.

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