A delegation from the Parliament of Kenya is to visit the Isle of Man to study the Manx parliamentary system. The visit is at the invitation of the Office of the Clerk of Tynwald after it received a request from the Kenyan parliament following a contact made with Samwel Njuguna, a principal research worker, by Juan Watterson MHK who, along with Hon Phil Gawne MHK, attended the 56th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Nairobi during September 2010. The study tour comes at a time when Kenya’s parliament is undergoing major structural and operational reforms that in 2012 will see a move to a bicameral parliamentary system after 47 years of uni-cameralism. It is against this background that the five officers have expressed interest in studying the operation and structure of Tynwald, including parliamentary functions such as budgetary processes and financial oversight. During the week-long visit beginning on April 10 and funded by the Parliament of Kenya the officers will attend a sitting of Tynwald Court, receive Chamber training and be given an introduction to the Island’s system of government. Among those whom they will meet will be the President of Tynwald and Speaker of the House of Keys, along with Tynwald officers, MHKs, MLCs and senior government officials. A courtesy visit to the Lieutenant Governor is planned and the programme will also allow opportunities for the visitors to tour the Isle of Man. The visiting officers are Clement Nyandiere, director - information and research, also delegation leader, Paul Onyango, principal finance officer, Samwel Njuguna, principal research officer and delegation secretary, Harun Okal, Serjeant at Arms and John Mutega, clerk assistant. President of Tynwald Noel Cringle MLC OBE said: ‘I am delighted we are able to offer our distinguished visitors an opportunity to learn about our parliamentary process. I welcome this study tour as a means to strengthen our links with our Commonwealth parliamentary colleagues and demonstrate our enduring commitment not only to promote Tynwald but also the Isle of Man to the wider world.’ Ends