Ruto set to address Nation on scorecard

President William Ruto will on Thursday address a joint sitting of Parliament where he is expected to outline his government’s agenda for the coming year.

During the address, Ruto is scheduled to report on all measures taken and progress achieved in the realisation of the national values referred to in Article 10 as well as submit a report for debate to the two Houses of Parliament outlining the progress made in fulfilling the international obligations of the republic.

He is also expected to publish details of these measures and progress in the Gazette.
The move came after Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetang’ula and his Senate counterpart Amason Kingi communicated to the House they had received a message from the Head of State conveying his intentions to address the joint sitting.

“I wish to inform the House that I have received a message from His Excellency the President conveying that he intends to deliver the 2023 State of the Nation address to Parliament,” said Wetang’ula.

A gazette notice dated November 3, signed by Wetang’ula and Kingi, said the event will take place in the National Assembly Chamber at the Main Parliament Buildings in Nairobi, starting at 2:30 p.m.

Reads the Gazette notice: “Notice is given to all Members of the National Assembly and the general public 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 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 Chambers, Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi.”

Second address

This will be the second time that Ruto will be addressing Parliament as the President since his election in August last year.

His first address took place on September 29, 2022, marking the official commencement of the 13th Parliament. During that address, he presented his legislative agenda to the lawmakers.

The State of the Nation Address is delivered in accordance with Article 132 (1) of the Constitution which provides for the President to address a Special Sitting of Parliament once every year where he is expected to report on all the measures taken and the progress achieved in the realisation of the national values.

This year’s address comes at a time when Kenyans are grappling with the high cost of living occasioned by the surge in pump prices. At the moment, Super Petrol is retailing at Sh217.36 in Nairobi after it increased by Sh5.72 liters, diesel is retailing at Sh205.47 after it increased by Sh4.48 per liter while kerosene is retailing at Sh205.06 by Sh2.45 a litre.

The address also comes in the wake of the ongoing bi-partisan talks as well as the House consideration of a request by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on the deployment of police officers to the UN-backed security mission to Haiti.

The committee on Administration and Internal Affairs chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo and that of the Senate National Security and Foreign affairs have been considering the said request after the government sought for parliamentary approval of the same.

Kenya agreed to send 1,000 police officers to Haiti in January next year in a deal signed by Minister Jean Victor Génus and former Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua last month.
The UN Security Council voted for the one-year deployment of a non-UN multinational force, led by Kenyan officers to Haiti to combat gangs and restore security.

Said Wetang’ula: “I hereby refer the memorandum to the departmental committee on Administration and internal security National Security together with the senate to consider the memorandum and table a report on or before November 8 to allow for a timely disposal of this matter.”