The Commission in Partnership with The Former Parliamentarians Association Kenya (FOPA) held a one-day conference on Friday 22nd August 2018 at the Safari Park Hotel.
The objective of the conference was to create a point of synergy where FOPA members can support the Commission by promoting peaceful co-existence in the communities they once served and therefore reinforce the idea of moving beyond the ‘handshake’. The conference brought together 256 former members of Parliament who pledged to play a non-partisan role in reuniting the nation. The event was graced by two guest speakers Hon. Raila Odinga and Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka.
In their remarks, they both reiterated that Kenyans’ diversity remains a huge advantage to our country- economically, socially and culturally. They said that during elections, our diversity has been used the wrong way by politicians and emotional unity is necessary for our national unity. They also insisted that FOPA has a lot of experience that this country requires for us to move forward. FOPA is committed to providing an interactive forum that will push for dialogue and public debate on matters of governance, leadership, national cohesion, integration and peace building, and promotion of National Values as stipulated in Article 10 of the Constitution.
It seeks to harness its members many years of cumulated knowledge, skills and talents in various fields of governance, legislation, public administration, oversight and community mobilization which need to be utilized and developed for the larger benefit and common good of our society.
