Abstract:
This article discusses the effectiveness of parliamentary networks in East Africa as
a tool of capacity building. Given the circumstances prevailing in most African
parliaments, there is growing consensus supporting the view that networks
are one of the key capacity building instruments on the continent. The article
proceeds to discuss the extent that there are no dedicated formal colleges to train
parliamentarians and parliamentary staff for their multiple functions. Networking
with sister institutions does serve as one critical mechanism for exchanging and
sharing information, knowledge and internationally-acknowledged best practices in
order to enhance institutional and individual capacities.