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The Hansard Association of Kenya (HAK) is the premier professional body dedicated to excellence in legislative reporting, information management, and parliamentary publishing across all 49 Hansard departments in Kenya.
To provide an accurate and credible account of the proceedings of Parliament and County Assemblies through timely production of Hansard Reports.
To be an effective and active player in the legislative process and the realization of good governance in Kenya.
From a training workshop to a continental force in legislative reporting.
The idea of a professional body for Hansard practitioners in Kenya was born not in a boardroom, but in a classroom. During a training workshop at the Centre for Parliamentary Studies and Training (CPST) in Karen, Nairobi, a group of dedicated Hansard staff saw a glaring gap: county assemblies had little recognition of the Hansard department's critical role. The solution? A united, independent association to champion excellence in legislative reporting.
Guided by Mr Abdulmajid Ahmed (facilitator), the late Dr Philip Brightone Buchere (then Director, Curriculum, Training & Research), and Ms Linet Misati (CPST Programmes Co-ordinator), the participants elected an interim committee to steer the dream forward.
Interim officials (2014):
The Clerk of the Senate, Mr. Jeremiah Nyegenye, was proposed as patron. When consulted, he advised a full meeting to formalise the association.
That meeting was held in Nakuru County in 2014, attended by 13 county assemblies and two Senate officers – Mr. Charles Ondigi Gwako and Miss Anastacia Mbeba. The resolution was unanimous: establish the Hansard Association of Kenya (HAK), and empower the interim committee to continue until proper elections.
Not everyone welcomed the idea. Some county clerks mistook HAK for a trade union – a threat to their authority. The committee persevered through "silent diplomacy," using every opportunity at SOCATT(K) meetings to build trust. Over time, clerks became great friends of the Hansard fraternity, supporting training and equipment procurement.
After two years of groundwork, HAK held its inaugural annual conference in Mombasa (2016). The interim committee's mandate was extended once more to prepare for the second conference, and in January 2017, a new elected executive took over.
Elected executive (2017):
Since then, HAK has successfully organised seven annual conferences, each raising the bar for professionalism in legislative reporting. The Association has moved Hansard from the shadows – seen as mere "technical support" – to a recognised professional partner in the legislative process.
Today, HAK serves as the cornerstone for preserving the parliamentary record, ensuring that the deliberations of the people's representatives are captured with accuracy, integrity, and transparency. With the reintroduction of bicameralism and the growth of 47 county assemblies, the Hansard has become a vital instrument in governance, judicial proceedings, public accountability, and the historical archive.
Our 8th Annual Conference – themed "The Hansard: Milestones, Gains and Impact" – will be held from 10th to 16th May 2026 in Kisumu County. We expect over 300 Hansard professionals, plus international guests from Ghana, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Somaliland, and Sierra Leone.
The conference will explore four thematic pillars:
It will also launch the Kisumu Resolutions – a communiqué to advance Hansard standards across the region.
Maintaining truthfulness and strong moral principles in all our dealings.
Providing fair and unbiased reporting without preference or prejudice.
Demonstrating expertise, competence, and dedication in our work.
Fostering collaboration and unity among Hansard professionals.
Being answerable for our actions and open in our operations.
Treating all stakeholders with dignity and professional courtesy.
Delivering timely and quality Hansard reports to stakeholders.
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