Parliament plans mock chambers in counties to limit school visits

Parliamentary Taskforce Committee chairman Harrison Owino said the plan would cut costs, save time and allow more students to experience parliamentary processes.
“Once they come here at the show, they will get that experience. In other counties, we plan to showcase in various shows that will happen similarly,” he said.

Parliament is planning to establish mock chambers in counties to minimise the number of schoolchildren visiting the National Assembly and Senate in Nairobi.

Parliamentary Taskforce Committee chairman Harrison Owino said the plan would cut costs, save time and allow more students to experience parliamentary processes.

“Once they come here at the show, they will get that experience. In other counties, we plan to showcase in various shows that will happen similarly,” he said.

Owino spoke at the Mombasa International ASK show.

This is the first time Parliament is practically showcasing the use of the chamber at an ASK show.

Four schools from the Coast were invited to debate on themes around climate change, with sessions scheduled for Wednesday and Friday.

“Through parliamentary debates, we come up with legislations and policies that support climate change response and sustainable economic growth. Out of those policies, we can influence agricultural activities, which are the backbone of our economy,” Owino said.

The parliamentary stand will also feature a media roundtable with members of committees on agriculture and broadcasting, as well as the Parliamentary Service Commission, discussing the show’s theme: Promoting climate-smart agriculture and trade initiatives for sustainable economic growth.

Owino said the public will also learn the history of Parliament, from its beginnings with seven members in 1907, to today’s 349 National Assembly members and 67 Senators, along with an overview of laws passed since then and their relevance to climate change.

Instant analysis

Parliament has long hosted student visits through the Kenya Parliamentary Education Programme, but access is often limited due to security and scheduling demands. The proposal to establish mock chambers in counties and adopt digital tools could democratise civic education by bringing Parliament closer to citizens. If well executed, it would reduce costs for schools while engaging more children nationwide. The move also reflects Parliament’s attempt to modernise outreach through technology, though success will depend on how effectively mock chambers and AI platforms replicate the real parliamentary experience.