Facebook Twitter (X) Instagram Somali Magazine - People's Magazine
Somalia’s Speaker of the Lower House, Sheikh Aden Mohamed Noor Madoobe, met with Kenya’s Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Masika Wetang’ula, in Nairobi to discuss ways of strengthening cooperation between the two neighbouring parliaments. The meeting was part of ongoing efforts by both governments to build closer ties, improve regional collaboration and create structured platforms where lawmakers from the two countries can learn from one another.
During their discussions, the two speakers explored the idea of forming a joint parliamentary friendship committee. This committee would serve as a bridge between the legislatures of Somalia and Kenya, making it easier for members of parliament from both sides to work together, share experiences and address common challenges. The speakers agreed that encouraging exchange programmes between lawmakers is an important step toward improving legislative performance, building trust and enhancing the quality of policymaking in the region.
Speaker Wetang’ula congratulated Speaker Madoobe for the role he has played as chair of the East African Community Parliamentary Speakers’ Forum, praising his leadership and commitment to regional unity. He also recognized Somalia’s recent progress in regional integration, especially the election of Somali representatives to the East African Legislative Assembly. Wetang’ula said this milestone reflected Somalia’s increasing engagement in East African institutions and its growing role in shaping the region’s future.
In response, Speaker Madoobe expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome received in Nairobi and thanked the Kenyan side for its continued support to Somalia in areas of diplomacy, governance and development. He also conveyed Somalia’s condolences to the people of Kenya following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, acknowledging his contributions to Kenya’s politics and his influence across the region. Madoobe noted that Odinga’s legacy would be remembered for many years, especially by nations that have worked closely with Kenya.
As part of the growing cooperation between the two parliaments, Speaker Madoobe invited Speaker Wetang’ula to attend the East African Community Speakers’ Summit, which Somalia is scheduled to host in May 2026. He said Somalia is preparing to host the event at a high standard, and that the summit would present an opportunity for regional speakers to discuss key challenges affecting the East African Community, including peace, security, economic integration and cross-border development. Madoobe emphasized that Somalia looks forward to welcoming all participating countries and showcasing the progress it has made politically and institutionally in recent years.
The meeting in Nairobi was attended by senior Somali officials who accompanied Speaker Madoobe. Among them were Abdirahman Mohamed Abdulle, commonly known as Jaabiri, the Secretary-General of Somalia’s House of the People; Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle, Somalia’s ambassador to Kenya; and Yusuf Hassan, the Director-General at the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. Their presence highlighted the importance Somalia placed on the discussions and the country’s intention to advance parliamentary diplomacy as part of its broader efforts to strengthen regional cooperation.
Both sides expressed optimism that the outcomes of the meeting would pave the way for deeper collaboration, improved communication channels and more structured partnerships across various levels of governance. They agreed that enhancing parliamentary ties is essential for promoting peace, stability and mutual understanding, especially given the shared history and close geographical proximity of Somalia and Kenya. The leaders concluded the meeting by reaffirming their commitment to continue working together on initiatives that benefit both nations and contribute to a more united and peaceful East African region.