Good afternoon, and welcome to our LIVE BLOG of President William Ruto's second State of the Nation Address this Thursday.
We expect the Head of State to address a joint sitting of the National Assembly and Senate focusing on crucial areas, including the economy and the health sector, that have been a talking point among Kenyans.
You can follow the LIVE proceedings here:
4:00pm- President Ruto Concludes His Address
President William Ruto concluded his address of the joint sitting after handing over key report documents to the Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate. That concludes the LIVE blog.
3:50pm - Ruto Orders the Cancels Adani Deals
The Head of State has cancelled the deals with the Indian conglomerate, Adani Group.
In his address, Ruto ordered the Ministries of Transport and Energy to cancel the deals over the expansion of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the electricity transmission lines deal with Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).
“I have stated in the past, and I reiterate today, that in the face of undisputed evidence or credible information on corruption, I will not hesitate to take decisive action. Accordingly, I now direct—in furtherance of the principles enshrined in Article 10 of the Constitution on transparency and accountability, and based on new information provided by our investigative agencies and partner nations—that the procuring agencies within the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum immediately cancel the ongoing procurement process for the JKIA Expansion Public Private Partnership transaction, as well as the recently concluded KETRACO transmission line Public Private Partnership contract, and immediately commence the process of onboarding alternative partners,” Ruto ordered.
3:40pm - Ruto Addresses June Protests And Abductions
Ruto has defended the response by his government against the anti-finance bill 2024 protests. The Head of State asserted that the government has the mandate to maintain and protect people’s property.
He says, protests are always legitimate and permitted but should be conducted by peaceful and unarmed Kenyans. “Mobilisation in pursuit of chaos is forbidden. We have a mandate to protect the people of Kenya,” he told the House.
He added, “Security officers should not kill citizens claiming they were engaging violent citizens. We have to guarantee public safety.
On abductions, he says, “There is no attempt to justify illegal arrests.”
3:35pm - Hustler Fund
Amid reports that the President’s pet project, Hustler Fund, has failed to make the leap into attracting more small and medium-sized businesses, Ruto now says the fund has disbursed Ksh60 billion, benefiting 24.6 million Kenyans.
Ruto says it has mobilised Ksh3.3 billion in savings. The fund maintains a repeat customer base of 8.5 million beneficiaries with a repayment rate of 79 per cent according to Ruto.
3:30 pm - Russia, Poland, and Jordan Next on Labour Migration List
Ruto has continued to promote the labour migration programme which according to him has led to the creation of job opportunities abroad and facilitated employment for 105,367 Kenyans since mid-2023.
Ruto says Russia, Poland, and Jordan are also in line to sign agreements with the government to offer opportunities to Kenyans.
3:25pm - Ruto Defends SHA, Makes Fresh Promises
Ruto has remained resolute in the face of the scathing criticism over his government's move to the new health scheme, Social Health Authority (SHA).
The rollout of the programme that the government has promised will be the future of health care for every Kenyan, has faced complaints from every corner, including the Catholic bishops.
However, Ruto remains unmoved. “Under Taifa Care, citizens are eligible for all services upon registration. I urge every Kenyan to take the most important step in securing dependable healthcare for themselves and their families: register now or at the earliest opportunity,” Ruto asserts.
3:14 pm - Ruto Comments on Moi University Confusion
Ruto tells the nation that he has given orders for the resolution of the financial standoff at Moi University.
''The remaining challenges for a few universities like Moi University are related to internal administrative and governance issues which I have given firm instructions that they should be addressed,'' Ruto reveals.
3:10 pm - Food security
Ruto says the distribution of subsidised fertiliser to farmers plus other government programmes has made food more accessible and affordable to Kenyans.
"Slowly and surely we are building a food-secure country," Ruto tells Parliament.
15:05pm - Ruto Notes Kenyans Concerns Over the Economy
The Head of State has read the mood of the country, capturing it in his address. The main question among most Kenyans has been the economy.
Ruto has noted the gap been the macroeconomic indicators recorded by the Treasury and the Central Bank, all show the economy is doing well, however, Kenyans are not feeling the effect.
Ruto noted, "Many struggling Kenyans impatiently wonder when will real money will get to their pockets. And when will the jobs promised, which they deserve, become a reality?"
2:55pm - President Ruto Starts His Address
President William Ruto begins his address to the joint sitting of Parliament.
"Rare are the times when the leadership is ahead of the people," Ruto remarked in his opening message.
He adds, "All questions asked by the people must be answered thoroughly and in full. We have learned never to take anything for granted."
2:50 pm - Some of the Key Guests in Parliament
Speaker Wetangula recognises the presence of high-ranking officials in government, including First Lady Rachel Ruto and the first family, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and his wife Joyce Kithure.
The others are Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi, DCJ Lady Justice Philomena Mwilu, Justice Mohammed K Ibrahim and William Ouko of the Supreme Court, Former National Assembly Speakers Bedan Muturi and Kenneth Marende, former Senate Speaker Ken Lusaka, and a special delegation from Gambia.
Wetangula also recognised the presence of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, Sports CS Kipchumba Murkomen, Treasury CS John Mbadi, Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi, and Chief of Staff Felix Kosgei.
Also present are the Chief of Defence Forces, Charles Kahariri, and Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja.
2:44 pm - Speakers Kingi and Wetangula Make Opening Remarks
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi opens the floor with a prayer and then proceeds to inform the House of the importance of the Special Sitting as stipulated in the Constitution.
He then hands over to National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, who emphasises the importance of the State of the Nation Address by the President.
Wetangula then welcomes various dignitaries in the Chambers.
2:40 pm - Ruto Walks Into National Assembly Chambers
President William Ruto has walked into the chambers sandwiched between the Speakers of the Senate and the National Assembly, Amason Kingi and Moses Wetangula, respectively.
Ruto is seated where the Speaker Wetangula sits, with Kingi on his left and Wetangula on his right.
After walking in, the House stood and sang the national anthem.
2:30 pm - MPs Gather in Chambers
Members of Parliament and Senators are gathering in the National Assembly in readiness for President Ruto's State of the Nation Address.
Some of the MPs spotted include Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah and nominated Senator Karen Nyamu.
We are not aware of how long the address will take; the MPs who spoke to the media before the sitting stated there are plenty of issues they would like the Head of State to address.
2:20 pm - President Ruto Inspects a Guard of Honour
President Ruto has inspected a guard of honour staged at the entrance of the Parliament Buildings, as is the norm.
The inspection of the parade comes just moments after he arrives from State House at about 2:15 pm.
14:00pm - Speakers Kingi, Wetangula, and CSs Troop in
The Speakers of the National Assembly and the Senate, Moses Wetangula and Amason Kingi have arrived at the Parliament buildings ahead of Ruto's address.
Also arriving at the Parliament precincts are Deputy President Kithure Kindki, Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi, CS Deborah Barasa, and Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri.
Kahariri was flanked by a host of senior security officers in the military and police, including Nairobi Police boss Adamson Bungei.
2:00 pm: Heavy Police Presence
Heavy security presence in and around Parliament as uniformed military officers patrol Parliament Road and nearby streets.
Parliament Road, Harambee Avenue, and City Hall Way have all been closed to a majority of Kenyans.
