5 things Ruto should consider addressing in his State of The Nation speech
President William Ruto is set to give his State of the Nation address on November 9, 2023, when he addresses the sitting National Assembly and Senate.
The address is set to begin at 2:30pm in accordance with Article 132 of the Constitution of Kenya, which states that the President may address a special sitting of Parliament once every year and may address Parliament at any other time.
President Ruto is expected to report all the measures taken and the progress achieved in the realization of national values. Nairobi News now lists things President Ruto should consider addressing in his speech:
- Historic high cost of living- Recently, the President assented to a Bill that saw new taxes being introduced on goods and services, as well as increasing existent taxes, some by up to 50%. This drove up the cost of fuel, electricity, and food. Kenyans have been struggling to meet their daily financial responsibilities including paying medical and education bills. This has been one of the reasons the opposition has been engaging with the government- both across the table and on the streets via demonstrations- to see to it that the cost of living is lowered as President Ruto had promised during his campaigns but did not fulfill.
- State of the economy in light of the depreciating value of the Kenya shilling- The Kenyan shilling has been losing value against the American dollar- the currency majorly used worldwide for import and export- as well as against East African neighbors. The depreciation of the shilling value as well as the increase in taxes has seen multinational companies and local businesses close up shop either for good or move to business-friendly nations.
- Increased unemployment rates- With the closure of companies, retrenchment, and downsizing, millions of Kenyans continue to endure unemployment. Currently, the unemployment rate stands at about 5.41% in 2023 in the formal sector while the employment rate is forecasted to be 64.5%. Youth and women are the most affected and informal employment continues to face financial hardships as little to no money is in circulation to employ others.
- National insecurity- In recent months, insecurity has been witnessed as the Somalia-based terrorist group Al Shabaab continues its attacks in Northern and North Eastern Kenya. Attacks were noted in Lamu and Mandera Counties where scores of people, including law enforcement, were killed. This has seen several teachers apply to be transferred out of these counties but their applications got them fired and blacklisted by the Teachers Service Commission for allegedly abandoning their posts and desertion of duty.
- Alleged fallout with DP Rigathi Gachagua- President Ruto should consider addressing claims of a fallout within his Cabinet. In October 2023, there were reports that Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua were at odds over the DP’s divisive comments that the government belongs to shareholders who voted for the Kenya Kwanza government and others should wait on the sidelines to receive anything from the government. “I am the President of the entire nation and you are citizens, therefore this government is also your government, do not worry, we are going to work together as people of Kenya, we are stronger together, we are weaker when we are divided, we do not want politics of division,” said Ruto during a past visit to opposition strongholds in Nyanza region. This was followed by occasions in which Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was seen handling duties on behalf of President Ruto- such as attending foreign functions- when the same should have been assigned to DP Gachagua who was often left in the country. Additionally, earlier this week, in his second Executive Order 2023, President Ruto included PCS Mudavadi’s office as part of the Office of the President unlike in the past when this office only applied to the president and his deputy.
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