Kisumu ASK show opens on Wednesday

The Parliament mace is for the first time being exhibited at Agricultural Show of Kenya (ASK) beginning on Wednesday at the Kisumu’s Mamboleo showground.

This is also the first time members of Senate and National Assembly will field questions from the public on the process of law making.

The mace is the House’s symbol of authority and must be present for any sittings to take place.

Ms Dorcus Ambuto, the principal public communications officer in the bicameral Parliament said on Tuesday that the show will help them keep in touch with wananchi as well as show solidarity to farmers in their role of feeding the nation.

“We want them to know the importance of participating in decision making. Article 118 of the Constitution has given all the powers to mwananchi to petition parliament to participate in legislation,” she said at the showground.

She added: “We also want the public to learn the history of our nation which runs through parliament from 1907 to date. We have this in pictorials and in publications.”

According to the official, the mace at the show was being used by the Senate before they acquired a new one.

However, she said the same one was still valid and could still be used when the main ones are not immediately accessible.

Mrs Ambuto said Senators and MPs from the region led by Kisumu Senator Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o are expected to visit the tent on Wednesday to field questions on agro-technology promotion among other issues.

In line with this year’s theme 'Enhancing technology in agriculture and industry for food security, Mrs Ambuto said parliament can recommend technologies which are efficient to the society and harmless to users.

She said their visits to other shows including Nanyuki, Embu, Meru, Nakuru, Kisii, Kakamega were successful and are expected to visit Mombasa and Kapsabet events after Kisumu.

“Large numbers we receive are students who are interested in seeing articles of the house including the mace, regalia, and the history because they do a lot of civics,” said Mrs Ambuto.

Nyanza Regional Coordinator Francis Mutie and ASK Chairman Caleb Oguya said the event had attracted exhibitors from countries across East Africa.

“The show will be opened by Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma while on Friday, we expect Principal Secretary from the ministry of agriculture,” said Mr Mutie.

Mr Oguya confirmed that due to outbreak of foot and mouth disease, there would be no exhibition of hoofed animals like cattle, goats and pigs.

“The quarantine on hoofed animals stands. However, it will not affect much of our activities since we have companies that produce animal feeds and other experts in that line,” he said.

By Tuesday, nearly 150 exhibitors had already set up their tents in readiness for the five day show.