BEIJING, China- National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has arrived in Beijing to attend the Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges, where he says Kenya will seek to strengthen parliamentary ties with China and learn from legislatures across the world.
Wetang’ula is accompanied by Kilifi North MP Owen Baya, nominated MP Irene Mayaka and Tongaren MP John Chikati.
The delegation is expected to take part in discussions with serving and former legislators from different regions.
In a statement announcing his arrival, Wetang’ula described the forum as an opportunity for Kenya to build relations with China’s National People’s Congress and other legislatures, exchange experience in lawmaking and governance, and discuss issues of mutual interest.
“For Kenya, the forum provides an important platform to strengthen ties with China’s National People’s Congress and other legislatures, share experiences in lawmaking and governance and explore areas of mutual interest that can support our country’s development priorities and improve the well-being of our people,” he said.
The forum brings together more than 60 serving and former legislators from five continents, according to Wetang’ula.
Its focus on parliamentary engagement reflects the growing use of legislative exchanges to discuss development, governance and international cooperation.
Forum builds on previous exchanges
The previous Legislators Forum for Friendly Exchanges was held in Urumqi, China, in September 2025.
It brought together more than 60 legislators and former legislators from five continents, alongside more than 60 deputies from China’s National People’s Congress and local people’s congresses.
The 2025 meeting was held under the theme “Global Partnership for Common and Sustainable Development.”
Discussions covered areas including Belt and Road cooperation, ecological conservation, green development, human rights protection and regional development.
Participants also held dialogues with legislators from the European Union and the Global South.
The forum’s Urumqi Declaration called on legislatures to deepen exchanges and use dialogue and cooperation to promote peace, stability and economic and social development.
Participants also supported continuing the forum, with the next meeting to be held in China in 2026.
Wetang’ula’s visit comes as Kenya and China continue parliamentary engagement.
In June, Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guo Haiyan met Wetang’ula and National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei, with both sides expressing readiness to deepen cooperation between the legislatures.
Wetang’ula said the Beijing forum would allow the Kenyan delegation to share its experience while identifying partnerships that could serve the country’s development priorities.
