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Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has asked  agencies that monitor parliamentary activities to adopt new technology.

Mudavadi said that the adoption of technologies would in the long run increase and enhance transparency in legislative affairs.

“There is need to adopt new technologies in monitoring parliamentary and legislative work. This will enhance transparency and allow citizens to engage with their governments,” said Mudavadi.

In a speech read on his behalf by Parliamentary Affairs Principal Secretary Aurelia Rono, Mudavadi recognized the need for legislative assessments to ensure that laws and policies developed are responsive to the needs of citizens.

Mudavadi further argued that Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations and civil society organizations building blocks of democracy, adding that there is need to extend beyond the legislative development process to measuring the impact of the developed legislation on the citizenry.

Speaking during the East Africa Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations (PMO) Conference, Mudavadi said that it is critical that Parliaments develop legislative assessment tools for purposes of ensuring that legislation enacted meets the needs of the people and the ultimate intended purpose.

“If such assessments are undertaken, then the same can inform future amendments or annulment of certain laws,” he said.

According to Mudavadi, Parliamentary Monitoring Organizations are critical actors as they promote transparency, demand accountability and enhance the meaningful participation of citizens in parliamentary work.

He further called upon the regional Parliaments to advance the spirit of access to information, public participation and legislative openness in their countries.

Mudavadi committed to support various stakeholders including PMOs in developing and implementing the assessments tools that would inform future amendments or annulments of certain laws.

Mudavadi’s office is mandated to chair and co-ordinate the National Government legislative agenda across all ministries and state departments in consultation with, and for transmission to the Party/Coalition Leaders in Parliament.