National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula speaking during a meeting with Ed Barnett, the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the British High Commission, October 22, 2025. /PARLIAMENTParliament will expedite the review and passage of all election-related laws to ensure the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is fully equipped for the 2027 General Election, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has said.
Wetang’ula said the legislature was determined to avoid last-minute amendments that often undermine the credibility of the electoral process.
Speaking Wednesday in his office at Parliament buildings during a meeting with Ed Barnett, the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the British High Commission, he assured that the necessary bills would be concluded within months to give the commission adequate time to prepare.
“Election-related amendments don’t originate from us, but as House leadership, we’ve resolved that within the next two to three months, we’ll be done with them. We cannot be reviewing laws six or seven months to a general election,” Wetang’ula said.
He acknowledged that restoring public trust in the commission remains an ongoing challenge and urged the new team to engage more openly with citizens to rebuild confidence.
“The public has high expectations ahead of the upcoming by-elections. The pressure will be immense, but the chairperson and commissioners must remain firm,” he said.
With constitutional timelines ruling out a boundary review before the next polls, Wetang’ula challenged the commission to prioritise voter registration, saying millions of unlisted citizens must be brought on board to enhance participation.
“By not voting, you lose the moral ground to make demands on elected leaders. Let’s respect the sanctity of building a nation and strengthen credibility in our institutions,” he said.
Barnett noted that the United Kingdom, through its non-state partners, was supporting the commission’s capacity-building initiatives, including developing a strategic communication plan to promote transparency and timely dissemination of electoral information.
“We supported the induction of the new commissioners and will continue to channel our limited resources to strengthen their systems,” he said.
The meeting also addressed governance reforms, with both leaders agreeing that the newly enacted Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, would serve as a key test for Kenya’s anti-corruption framework.
Wetang’ula called on the Judiciary to expedite the handling of corruption cases to restore faith in public accountability.
“The Judiciary must reduce the time it takes to conclude cases. Timelines should be set and respected,” he emphasised.
Beyond electoral matters, their talks explored ways to transition the UK–Kenya partnership from an aid-driven relationship to one centred on trade and investment.
Wetang’ula urged Britain to expand private-sector engagement and explore emerging opportunities such as mining, citing Kenya’s discovery of rare earth deposits.
“The UK has been a dependable partner since independence. We now want to build a stronger trade partnership anchored on mutual growth,” he said.
Kenya is the UK’s second-largest export destination in Africa, accounting for 27 per cent of fresh produce and 56 per cent of the black tea sold in the British market.
However, Wetang’ula expressed concern over restrictive visa requirements that have hindered many Kenyans, including students seeking to pursue studies in the UK.
“There are many students who wish to study in the UK, but the visa process is too complex. We should leverage our Commonwealth connection to ease this,” he said.
Barnett acknowledged the concern and pledged to work with Kenyan institutions to help applicants navigate the process more effectively.
The British diplomat also conveyed his government’s condolences following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, praising Kenya for according him a dignified farewell.
Wetang’ula described Raila as a statesman whose life embodied resilience and reconciliation.
“Raila never carried grudges. After the fiercest political battles, he always put the country first,” he said.
The visit took place as the country marked the final day of the official seven-day mourning period for the late Raila, a revered freedom fighter and Pan-Africanist.
