CLERK of the National Assembly Patrick Gichohi he has retired from parliamentary service after 33 years of service. Speaker Kenneth Marende announced Gichohi's retirement yesterday and thanked him for the service he rendered to the legislatures in the House.

Gichohi joined the National assembly as a Clerk Assistant trainee in October 1979 and served through the ranks to become the fourth clerk of the National assembly in 2008

Gichohi's continuous service transcends seven parliaments - the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th. Marende said as principal adviser on matters of procedure to the House and to the Speaker, Gichohi supervised at the technical level the revision of standing orders in 2008.

He also lead the implementation of live broadcast programming that took effect from June 2008. "Gichohi has been charged to administratively oversee implementation of parliamentary reforms and I am grateful for the support he provided to the parliamentary service commission," he said.

MPs who spoke in his honour paid tribute to Gichohi for a distinguished career and thanked him for leaving behind a competent staff that is capable of taking over from him.

Lands Minister James Orengo described Gichohi as the best of the four individuals who have held the position of Clerk of the National Assembly. "You owe this House a book because you have seen the good and bad times of parliament," said Orengo.

Defence Assistant minister David Musila said Gichohi was instrumental in the development of the committee system in the National assembly. Transport Minister Amos Kimunya said Gichohi will be missed because he was a valuable resource on procedures and urged him to avail his experience in the development of county assemblies.

Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto hailed Gichohi for aggressively pushing for the House's independence. "Gichohi played a key role in helping Parliament assertits independence which was a feat that had never been achieved before," he said.