Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula has jetted out of the country to Washington, D.C, to attend an annual prayer breakfast meeting hosted by US Congress members.

In a statement on Monday, January 3, 2025, Wetang’ula confirmed his trip accompanied by five other legislators to attend the prayer event bringing together over 3,500 leaders across the globe.

The Speaker’s delegation included Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro, Dagoretti North Beatrice Elachi, Tinderet MP Julius Melly, Limuru MP Chege Kiragu and Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo.

“Currently leading Kenya’s Parliamentary delegation at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C., an event that convenes over 3,500 leaders from across the world.

“Upon arrival, I was received by Kenya’s Ambassador to the U.S., David Kerich. Our delegation includes Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro, Beatrice Elachi, Julius Melly, Chege Kiragu, and Senator Dan Maanzo,” Wetang’ula’s statement read in part.

He however did not give a breakdown of the travel cost and other expenditures during the trip and whether or not the taxpayer was footing for the bill.

Platform for strategic partnership

In his statement, Wetang’ula explained that the trip was significant as it provided an avenue for Kenya to forge strategic partnerships besides helping to foster dialogue with business leaders, political figures and civil society leaders.

“Hosted by members of the U.S. Congress and organized by The Fellowship Foundation, this historic gathering, established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1953, brings together political, military, business, and civil society leaders to foster dialogue and collaboration.

“While faith and governance remain central to the event, it also serves as a platform for forging strategic partnerships with counterparts from over 100 countries and strengthening bilateral ties with members of the U.S. government,” the speaker emphasised.

Eisenhower Fellowships exist to inspire leaders around the world to challenge themselves and envision how they can effect positive change.

It also offers an opportunity for leaders to engage others beyond their existing networks and to collaborate with other like-minded leaders across national borders and regions to better the world around them.

“We bring together innovative leaders from all fields and regions of the world, women and men of notable achievement who have the potential to do even more. We strive to ensure the professional, ethnic, racial, gender and geographic diversity of the Fellows and of the regions and nations where we operate,” the fellowship states on its website.

The prayer meeting came at a time when President Donald Trump is implementing sweeping reforms in various sectors in the US. Some of his policies have received wide criticism, especially his push to impose tariffs on some nations and cut foreign aid.

Kenya is among the countries expected to feel the pain of Trump’s policies with the Health sector expected to be the first casualty.

Health Cabinet Secretary Deborah Mulongo acknowledged the challenge and vowed to find an alternative way of funding various intervention programmes including supplies to HIV/AIDS patients.