National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has announced the construction of an ultra-modern media centre within Parliament Square.
The move is expected to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of parliamentary reporting.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) under Wetang'ula's stewardship, aims to provide parliamentary reporters with the necessary tools and environment to fulfil their duties more effectively.
"The PSC through my stewardship has committed to establishing an ultra-modern media centre within the Parliament Square to help facilitate parliamentary reporters to effectively deliver their mandate," Wetang'ula stated.
"The media is an integral stakeholder in facilitating effective delivery of parliamentary work and in informing the public while ensuring national values of transparency and accountability are achieved."
Wetang'ula underscored the critical role of the media in upholding the principles enshrined in the Constitution of Kenya 2010.
Articles 34, 35, and 118 of the Constitution highlight the importance of the media in promoting transparency, accountability, and public participation in governance.
In light of these constitutional provisions, the PSC has actively engaged with key media stakeholders to ensure the continuous and effective dissemination of parliamentary information.
Wetang'ula emphasized the importance of this collaboration, stating, "A plan to review the current situation in the institution and reassure the media of a continued cordial partnership in ensuring that factual and timely information is relayed to the public."
In addition to establishing the media centre, Wetang'ula assured the media industry that the PSC would review existing media legislation to align them with current trends and technological advancements.
"During the meeting, I have assured the media industry that the two Houses of Parliament will re-look into the existing media legislations to realign them with the current trends coupled with the advent of technology," Wetang’ula said on his official social media platforms.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, TV47s Senior Political and Parliamentary Reporter Elizabeth Mutuku disclosed that they have been operating from the media centre but are currently not allowed into Parliament after the invasion.
"We have been operating from the media centre but since the invasion of parliament we can’t access the precincts of parliament despite having a good committee worth our attention if held within parliament buildings we are denied access," Mutuku stated.
However, Mutuku said they have been able to cover different Senate proceedings either physically or on Zoom.
The new media centre is expected to significantly enhance the working conditions for parliamentary reporters, providing them with state-of-the-art facilities to gather, process, and disseminate information.
