- PSC Commissioners have encouraged the girls to pursue leadership and governance careers, singling out the student Speaker as having presidential potential.
Fifteen students from Mishi Mboko Girls Secondary School in Likoni Constituency turned the Parliament of Kenya stand at the Mombasa Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show into a lively chamber of debate, showcasing their understanding of democracy, leadership and legislative processes.
The students, who travelled from Likoni to participate in Parliament’s public outreach activities, took part in a mock parliamentary sitting designed to promote civic education and expose young people to the workings of Parliament. The session, held at the Mkomani grounds, featured a student Speaker, Clerk-at-the-Table, Majority and Minority leaders, Mover, Seconder and Sergeants-at-Arms, replicating proceedings in the National Assembly.
The mock sitting followed a standard parliamentary Order Paper, beginning with prayers before the student Speaker called the House to order. A student member-elect also took a symbolic oath, pledging to uphold the Constitution and serve the people of Kenya. The students demonstrated their grasp of parliamentary oversight when one of them invoked Standing Order 44(2)(c) to seek a statement from the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security regarding an attack on a secondary school reported on August 1, 2026.
The House also considered the Breastfeeding Facilities Bill, with the students debating provisions aimed at supporting lactating mothers in workplaces and protecting the rights of nursing mothers.
The main debate centred on the motion: “Climate-smart agriculture is the key to food security and sustainable economic growth in Kenya,” aligned with this year’s ASK theme, “Promoting Climate Smart Agriculture and Trade Initiatives for Sustainable Economic Growth.” Proponents argued that climate-smart agriculture could improve food security by supporting year-round production through irrigation and solar-powered pumps while increasing agricultural productivity, and linked the approach to job creation across the agricultural value chain, including farming, transportation, processing, marketing and agricultural technology.
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They also cited practices such as greenhouse farming, minimum tillage, crop rotation, agroforestry and water harvesting as measures that could enhance resilience to climate change while protecting soils and forests.
The opposition team, however, challenged the idea that climate-smart agriculture alone could solve Kenya’s food security challenges, arguing that poverty limits farmers’ purchasing power and that unequal access to modern technology could exclude small-scale and poor farmers from its benefits. They raised concerns over poor rural roads, inadequate and fragmented agricultural extension services, and the devastating effects of droughts and floods, further arguing that some climate-smart agricultural interventions require several seasons to deliver significant benefits, making them less effective for households facing immediate food shortages. After a spirited exchange and interventions from the Speaker, the House divided, with the motion eventually carried by 14 votes to 10.
Beyond the debate, the mock parliamentary sitting provided an opportunity for mentorship, particularly on the importance of female leadership and participation in public affairs. Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC) Commissioners recognised the students according to the roles they played during the sitting, including Speaker, Clerk, Sergeants-at-Arms, Majority and Minority leaders, Mover and Seconder. The Commissioners encouraged the girls to pursue education, develop confidence and consider careers in governance and public service, emphasising that gender should not limit their ambitions and urging the students to aspire to the highest levels of leadership in the country, including the presidency. The student who served as Speaker was singled out as having the potential to become a future President of Kenya.
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The Parliament stand brought together various directorates from both the National Assembly and the Senate, including Legislative Services, Hansard, the Parliamentary Budget Office, the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training, the Parliamentary Budget and Research Office, the Media Centre and the Parliamentary Library.
The teams used the ASK platform to educate members of the public on the functions of Parliament, legislative processes and the importance of citizen participation. Nyeri Senator Wahome Wamatinga, who chairs the Parliamentary Service Commission Committee on Information and Public Communication, said agricultural shows provide an important platform for Parliament to interact with citizens and promote constitutional awareness.
By Salim Mwachofi
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