Nairobi News

President William Ruto will address a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate on November 9, 2023.

The move was confirmed by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Amason Kingi, his counterpart at the Senate.

Via a gazette notice, the two Heads of their respective houses explained the said address will commence at 2pm in the National Assembly chamber at the main Parliament Buildings.

“Notice is given to all Members of the National Assembly and the general public that, pursuant to Article 132 (1) (b) and (c) of the Constitution of Kenya and Standing Order 22 of the National Assembly Standing Orders, the President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces, His Excellency Hon. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H., shall address a Joint Sitting of Parliament on Thursday, 9th November 2023, at 2.30 p.m., in the National Assembly Chamber, Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi,” Wetangula said.

The address is 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.

In the address, President Ruto is expected to report all the measures taken and the progress achieved in the realisation of national values.

The address comes at a time when Kenyans are grappling with the high cost of living mainly brought about by an increase in taxes by the government.

As a result, the prices of basic commodities including fuel, bread, electricity, and transport fares have increased by up to 30%.

The country’s economy is reportedly also on shaky ground, as witnessed by the weakening of the shilling against the US dollar and other currencies including the Uganda and Tanzania shillings.

President Ruto’s regime has also been forced to defend itself from media reports of an internal fallout involving the Head of State and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

Also, Ruto’s government faces security concerns, especially in the towns neighbouring Somalia where terrorist attacks have consistently been reported leading to deaths and loss of property.

This comes at a time when the National Dialogue talks, pitting government and opposition politicians, and co-chaired by Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wa are approaching conclusion.

President Ruto made his first address to the Parliament in 2022.

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