President Ruto to deliver first State of the Nation address today

President William Ruto will today deliver his first ever State of the Nation address since taking over power in September last year.

According to a gazette notice seen by Citizen Digital, the President will address a joint Parliamentary sitting of both the National Assembly and the Senate on November 9, 2023.

Speakers of both Houses, Moses Wetangula (National Assembly) and Amason Kingi (Senate), hence called on all members of the two Parliamentary institutions to avail themselves on the said date at 2:30pm. 

“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,” stated Wetangula.

Kingi, in the same gazette notice, reiterated the same statement, adding: "Accordingly, pursuant to Standing Order 25 of the Senate Standing Orders, I notify all Senators that a special sitting of Parliament shall be held on Thursday, 9th November 2023, at 2.30 p.m., at the National Assembly Chamber, Main Parliament Buildings, Nairobi.”

The last State of the Nation address was given by former President Uhuru Kenyatta on November 30, 2021; this came months before the General Election, in which Ruto emerged winner of the presidential race and was sworn in to office September 13, 2022.