Formerly known as National Legislation Support Institute (NASI), the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (ILA) was born at the 2004 FOCUS Associates Conference held at the Mombasa Beach Hotel. The said Associates Conference had the theme of “Lobbying and Advocacy”. Following a session on “Legislative advocacy” all those who had an interest in supporting Parliament to fulfill its roles began meeting once a month.

ILA started out as a lobby group under the auspices of the Fellowship of Christian Unions (FOCUS-Kenya). As the scope of work increased, the members decided to set up an independent organization and ILA was registered in August 2006 as a Trust under the Trustees Perpetual Succession Act. In 2011, ILA changed its legal status and was registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee.

ILA began work with the redrafting of the Tobacco Control Bill 2005 and since then has been involved in the drafting and enactment of the: Tobacco Control Act 2007, the Public Health (Tobacco Products Control) Rules, 2006) the National Drug Control Authority Bill 2007, the Counsellors, Psychologists and Psychotherapists Bill 2007, a motion to provide amnesty for perpetrators of economic crimes and the review of education laws.

ILA’s engagement is based upon the belief that Christians must use their professional ability to impact the society around them and on our core values of Professionalism, Accountability, Courageous in action and Integrity.