NAIROBI– Somali Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre on Wednesday held meeting with Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission ( IEBC)
The Somali premier led a high level delegation from Somalia that is in the country benchmarking on various areas of interest including election management ahead of its country’s elections set for June 2024.
During the visit, the Somalia delegation was keen to learn how the Commission conforms to the principles of good governance while undertaking its mandate.
The Commission Secretary/CEO Marjan H. Marjan welcomed the delegation and appreciated them for their recognition of the role the Commission plays in promoting democracy in Kenya.
Prime Minister Barre who spoke in the meeting noted that Kenya’s election management body has proved to be instrumental in steering the country through electoral legal reforms and lauded IEBC for its commitment to conduct and supervise elections, carry out verifiable voter registration, undertake voter education and settle electoral disputes, which have set the bar high in Africa and the world.
“The Commission has shown professionalism and hinged its operations on the Constitution of Kenya. Somalia is keen to learn as it strives to strengthen its democratic processes despite the challenges it faces,” said Somalia PM Hamza Abdi Barre.
According to a statement from ( IEBC), the delegation was taken through the electoral processes, especially how the Commission has leveraged on electoral technology to carry out biometric voter registration, inspection and verification of register of voters, and results transmission to enhance credibility of Kenya’s elections.
The Commission today hosted a delegation from the Federal Republic of Somalia led by @SomaliPM Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre. The delegation is in the country benchmarking on various areas of interest including election management ahead of its country’s elections set for June… pic.twitter.com/gODGKjz8Bg
— IEBC (@IEBCKenya) May 8, 2024
Prime Minister Barre arrived in the country on Monday for a crucial meeting on bolstering the strategic relations between Somalia and Kenya.
On Tuesday, Barre held a high level talks with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at his Karen Residence where they committed to fostering the bilateral relations and economic ties between the two countries in trade and investment with a view of boosting the economy of both nations.
Later in the evening, the Somali Prime met with Somali businessmen in Kenya to discuss among other things their pivotal role in the rebuilding and development of the country.
He urged the Somali businessmen in Kenya to create opportunities for the the Somali youth in a bid to deter them from engaging in llegal activities
Kenya is among countries contributing peace keeping troops in Somalia that have significantly been involved in state building and restoration of peace and stability in the Horn of Africa Nation.
