National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged private sector players to move beyond observation and actively participate in the law-making process, stressing that shaping legislation is not the exclusive responsibility of Parliament.
The Speaker made the remarks during his closing address at the 8th KEPSA-Speaker’s Roundtable in Mombasa, following two days of panel discussions between business leaders, captains of industry, and parliamentary leadership, including committee chairs.
“Legislation is not the preserve of Parliament. In the process of developing laws, we should work together to support this country,” Wetang’ula said, highlighting the importance of collaborative governance.
He referenced the public debate surrounding the JKIA expansion project, noting that the private sector’s perspective was not prominently represented during discussions.
“I have reviewed the documents, and I did not see the issues that were circulating publicly, but the private sector remained largely silent,” he said.
“You could have contributed to public understanding, especially as we seek to upgrade our airport to remain competitive.”
Wetang’ula encouraged parliamentary committees to maintain regular engagements with KEPSA and other stakeholders and pledged his support for such initiatives.
The closed-door discussions, which extended into late hours, focused on lowering the cost of doing business, enhancing productivity in the age of Artificial Intelligence, and the role of governance in economic development.
He further urged KEPSA to ensure that its feedback and critiques are based on evidence, to facilitate actionable outcomes.
In his closing remarks, Wetang’ula said: “Let us bake the cake together, let us eat the cake together. This country has great potential, but we must embrace change.”
He also called for trust in government efforts to deliver on national priorities, warning that persistent distractions could slow progress.
