Biography
Excellence has been the hallmark of the Hon. Keith Bell’s career. As the top graduate from the Royal Bahamas Police Force in 1986, he was awarded the coveted ‘Baton of Honour’.
He worked in the Criminal Investigation Department for most of his tenure on the Police Force and headed 7 major departments covering a number of legal and intelligence activities before retiring from the Force after 22 years of service.
He holds an Associates of Arts Degree in Law and Criminal Justice from the College of The Bahamas and is the first Bahamian to attain First Class Honours in law from the University of the West Indies, Barbados, where he graduated in 1997. Among his achievements: three ‘Best Student’ prizes for legal practice and three prizes for Best Overall College Student.
On May 10, 2012, he was appointed a Senator and made Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security where he led the implementation of several legal milestones (including ‘Marco’s Law’). He also spearheaded over 15 major capital initiatives at the Ministry of National Security, the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Department of Correctional Services.
He was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Carmichael constituency on September 16, 2021, and appointed Minister of Labour and Immigration on September 22, 2021. His portfolio included: labor relations, manpower and employment, employment agencies, the National Training Agency, trade unions, trade disputes, wage councils, labor education, inspection and safety, immigration, naturalization, citizenship and work and residency permits.
On the 11th of September 2023 Minister Bell was named the Minister of Housing and Urban Renewal.
His portfolio includes:
- Department of Housing
- Implementation of Government’s Housing Scheme
- Development of New Housing Subdivisions
- Construction of Medium and Low- Income Housing and Sale Service Lots
- Housing Loan Guarantee with Approved Lenders Scheme
- Relations with The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation
- Provision and Maintenance of Public Rental Units and Senior Citizens Homes
- As part of his community service, Mr. Bell has lectured at the College of The Bahamas, and served on the Catholic Board of Education, and The Bahamas National Trust.
- Minister Bell was born on December 31, 1967. He is a member of the Catholic faith. He and his deceased wife, Clara, have 3 sons.
- On the 23rd of September 2023 Clara Bell passed away at the age of 55.
October, 2024