Hansard officers told to focus on accessibility, Multilingualism and public participation

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Participants follow proceedings during the official opening of the 8th Annual Conference of the Hansard Association of Kenya today in Kisumu-Photo Courtesy 

By Dickson Odhiambo

May 11, 2026

Hansard officers told to focus on accessibility, Multilingualism and public participation

 Hansard Officers have been urged to fully focus on accessibility, Multilingualism and public participation in their work to deliver quality services.

The National Assembly says  as democratic institutions evolve, the expectation is no longer simply that parliamentary proceedings exist as records, but that they are accessible, inclusive, and meaningful to the public.

The Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly Serah Kioko during the 8th Annual Conference of the Hansard Association of Kenya held in Kisumu said the efforts toward sign language integration; language harmonization, accessibility tools, and improved public access to parliamentary records are therefore important steps in strengthening transparency and citizen engagement.

The Deputy Clerk says the on-going work toward professionalization through curriculum development, accreditation frameworks, harmonized standards, and institutional collaboration deserves commendation.

“These initiatives are helping position Hansard not merely as a technical support function, but as a specialized professional field with its own standards, competencies, and body of knowledge. That is an important institutional shift,” the Deputy Clerk says.

She says the Hansard work requires immense concentration, discipline, and mental endurance, often under demanding timelines, adding that it is therefore important that institutions continue creating environments that support not only professional excellence, but also the wellbeing and sustainability of staff.

“A profession entrusted with preserving the voices of democratic institutions must equally ensure that the people carrying out that responsibility are themselves supported and empowered to thrive,” She adds.

She further adds that the conference reflects a growing spirit of collaboration, professional exchange, and legislative diplomacy across the region.

“Through these engagements, we strengthen not only our professional practice, but also the democratic institutions we serve. Ultimately, the Hansard is more than text on a page. It is evidence of democratic participation. It is a record of national conversations. It is the preserved voice of the people expressed through their elected representatives. And behind every accurate Hansard report stands a dedicated professional committed to ensuring that history is recorded faithfully and responsibly,” the Deputy Clerk further says.

 

 

 

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