President Ruto to address Parliament next week
President William Ruto delivers the State of Nation address at Parliament in Nairobi on November 9, 2023.
President William Ruto will address a joint sitting of Parliament next on Thursday next week.
This was revealed by the National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula on Thursday afternoon.
“Pursuant to the constitution and Standing Orders 222, I wish to notify all members that a joint sitting of parliament will take place on Thursday at 2:30pm in the National Assembly main chamber,” Mr Wetang’ula told MPs.
The address by President Ruto comes just a month after the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua as the Deputy President by both Houses.
President Ruto will face the MPs as he address the nation at a time when there is looming introduction of new taxes, chaos in the health sector and talks of re-organisation in the Cabinet.
The Head of State will also address Parliament, an institution that was raided by young protesters on June 25 over the Finance Bill, 2024 that was rejected.
The address by President Ruto is in accordance with Article 132 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya requires the President to address the nation once every year and at any other time.
Further Article 132 (1) (c) requires the President to once every year report in an address to the nation, on measures taken and progress in the realization of national values.
Additionally, the constitution also provides that the President shall submit a report for debate to the National Assembly on the progress made in fulfilling the international obligations of the republic.
The President will also address the two Houses when there are rising cases of abductions in the country with a number of people still unaccounted for.
Dr Ruto will also address the Houses for the first time after four allies of opposition leader Raila Odinga were incorporated in the Cabinet under the broad-based government.
