KISUMU, May 2026 -The National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss has said Hansard reporting is undergoing a major transformation driven by digital innovation, but stressed that accuracy and professional judgment must not be compromised.
Making remarks during the 8th Annual Conference of the Hansard Association of Kenya (HAK) held at a Kisumu hotel under the theme “Hansard: Milestones, Gains and Impacts,” she noted that Hansard has evolved from handwritten notes and analogue recordings to digital systems and real-time reporting, reflecting the broader transformation of Parliament.
“A machine may identify words. A trained Hansard officer understands meaning, context, tone and parliamentary nuance,” she said.
However, she cautioned that Artificial Intelligence and automated transcription tools cannot fully replace trained Hansard professionals.
Hon Gladys Boss said parliamentary debates often involve interruptions, multilingual exchanges, humour, procedural language and emotionally charged discussions that require human interpretation to preserve accuracy and meaning.
She further described Hansard as more than a record of proceedings, calling it a permanent institutional memory of Parliament and a key pillar of democratic continuity.
“Long after political moments have passed, the Hansard remains the official record of what was said and decided,” she said.
Clerk of the Senate and Secretary to the Parliamentary Service Commission, Mr Jeremiah Nyegenye, said Hansard plays a central role in strengthening transparency and accountability in governance.
He described it as the backbone of legislative accountability, noting that it preserves debates that shape national decision-making. Nyegenye raised concern over evolving language use in parliamentary debates, pointing to the increasing use of Sheng, colloquial Kiswahili and informal expressions.
He said Hansard professionals must develop clear standards to ensure modern speech is accurately captured without distorting meaning or legislative intent.
The event also brought together parliamentary clerks, Hansard professionals from national and county assemblies, and regional legislative representatives from across Africa.
The discussions focused on the evolving role of Hansard in the digital era and the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence in parliamentary reporting.
The conference noted that parliamentary reporting has evolved significantly, with increased adoption of digital systems, automation tools and real-time transcription technologies.
Delegates observed that while Artificial Intelligence offers opportunities for speed and efficiency, human oversight remains essential to ensure accuracy and contextual interpretation. Discussions also focused on improving public access to parliamentary records through digital platforms, multilingual reporting systems and accessibility tools aimed at enhancing citizen engagement and transparency.
The HAK announced plans to develop a standardized Hansard manual, a professional training curriculum and an accreditation framework to harmonize reporting standards across legislatures. The association also proposed regional block trainings to strengthen capacity building and ensure consistent professional development for Hansard officers.
Delegates further emphasized the need to support staff welfare, acknowledging the demanding nature of Hansard work, which requires long hours, precision and sustained concentration during parliamentary sittings.
Proposals were made for a structured welfare framework to support officers facing illness, bereavement and other personal challenges.The conference also highlighted Kenya’s growing role in regional parliamentary reporting, with participation from East African and African legislatures.
Parliamentary leaders urged continued investment in technology, training and institutional support to strengthen Hansard departments and enhance legislative transparency.
They said a modernized Hansard system is essential for preserving democratic memory, improving accountability and ensuring future generations can access an accurate record of parliamentary decisions.
The week-long conference runs from 10 to 16 May 2026, bringing together Hansard professionals from across the region to deliberate on the future of legislative reporting in a rapidly evolving digital environment.
