National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 21 November 2024
President William Ruto responded to public concerns about hardship, unemployment, education and governance, outlining the severe fiscal and external shocks Kenya faced since 2022. He then highlighted recent macro‑economic gains – a stronger shilling, sharply lower inflation, record foreign‑exchange reserves, robust growth and expanded tax revenues – and detailed ongoing interventions such as subsidised fertilizer distribution to boost food security. While celebrating progress, he acknowledged that many Kenyans still struggle to meet basic needs. President William Ruto thanked women leaders, outlined plans for digitising health and tax services to curb fraud, and announced the cancellation of the JKIA expansion procurement over corruption concerns. He emphasized national unity, the formation of a broad‑based cabinet, and the need for patience in economic transformation, while urging institutions to act decisively against corruption. The session concluded with adjournments and a call for a reception. President Ruto outlined significant progress in the Affordable Housing Programme, announcing the launch of 4,888 new units and highlighting its role in job creation and the broader Bottom‑Up Economic Transformation Agenda. He reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to democratic freedoms, the right to peaceful protest, and warned against criminal unrest, while also addressing concerns over alleged disappearances and condemning any illegal arrests by security forces. The remarks combined optimism about development initiatives with caution on security and civil liberties issues.
Order, Hon. Members. Let us all be seated. Your Excellency, Hon. (Dr.) William Samoei Ruto, CGH., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces; the Rt. Hon. Dr. Moses Wetangula EGH, MP, Speaker of the National Assembly; Hon. Members of Parliament, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Article 132 (1) (b) , of our Constitution provides that the President sh…
In this regard, the Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service, vide a letter referenced No.EOP/CAB.26/4a Vol. 4(178), dated 9th September, 2024, informed the Speakers of the Houses of Parliament of the intention of His Excellency the President, to address Parliament. Consequently, and upon consultation, the address to Parliament by His Excellency the President was scheduled for today, Thursday, 2…
Your Excellency, Hon. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, CGH., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in- Chief of the Defence Forces; the Rt. Hon. Amason King EGH., MP, Hon. Speaker of the Senate; Hon. Members of Parliament; members of the Diplomatic Corps; Distinguished Guests; Ladies and Gentlemen, Article 132 (1) (b) of the Constitution requires the President to address the nation once every y…
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
I need not mention that His Excellency the Deputy President is a former Leader of Majority in the Senate.
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker, Sir. The Hon. Speakers of Parliament, the Hon. Members, distinguished ladies and gentlemen. I am honoured to address you today in the fulfilment of the mandate vested in me under Article 132 (1) (c) of the Constitution; to report to you and to the people of Kenya on the measures we have taken, and the progress we have made in realising our national values and pri…
Consequently, our democracy has empowered citizens to ask questions and demand changes in the way their affairs are managed, driving the wheels of our nation's social, political and economic transformation faster in the direction of excellence and prosperity. Rare are the times when the leadership is ahead of the people. We are always striving to steer the machinery of the state and Government to…
due to a combination of prolonged drought, declining local productivity due to inadequate support and disruptions in the global supply chain caused by the war in Europe. Kenya faced a crossroads of extremely difficult choices, where defaulting on our obligations would have significantly worsened an already perilous situation, and more borrowing was not an option. It was, therefore, essential for …
This intervention will see a projected increase in maize production, for example, to a record 74 million 90-kilogramme bags. We have also concluded long-term agreements with 11 suppliers of assorted fertilisers to make this commodity available all year round. Fertiliser for the long rain season will be stocked in outlets nationwide ensuring our farmers are ready to plant, grow and produce. This f…
[(Applause)]
These measures have led to a 14 per cent increase in milk production, from 4.6 billion litres in 2022 to 5.2 billion litres in 2023, with projections exceeding 6 billion litres this year. The value of exported dairy products has nearly doubled, rising from Kshs4.8 billion in 2022 to Kshs7.2 billion in 2023. These gains demonstrate how targeted policies can deliver tangible benefits to dairy farme…
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
digitized. By eliminating unnecessary human interaction, we are tackling corruption, reducing inefficiencies and ensuring that resources are used where they are needed most. As a result, the good news is, SHA will pay all October claims in full by next week and it will continue like that going into the future.
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
neighbourhoods and communities, or will it be haphazard, unsanitary, unsafe slum dwellings? This is the fundamental question that our Affordable Housing plan seeks to answer. Kenya has a serious housing deficit and the cost of housing is beyond the reach of the majority. While the social and economic efforts of this shortage are far-reaching, rent as a component of the cost of living is unsustain…
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
interventions under our Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), and at the same time created space for us to implement the agenda in full. As we proceed with the implementation, we expect to quickly capitalise on the gains we have secured and invest resources in the economy, with an emphasis on strategic pillars of our plan. As more projects get off the ground, more people get hired, liq…
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
necessary distinction and do so clearly to protect democratic expression and guarantee public safety and security. I must now confront an issue of widespread concern regarding the relationship between citizens and the security services in the context of immense threat and intense political dynamism. Numerous allegations have been made concerning disappearance of people during protests. A number …
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
I appreciate women leaders who have taken time to engage me and propose solutions to address this issue. I have held discussions with other leaders in Government and I have tasked the Deputy President, to reach out and facilitate collaborative, broad-based and multi-sectoral deliberations and recommend effective and radically transformative and affirmative action within the next six months.
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
efficiency and transparency provided by technology in the provision of health care services to eliminate fraud and fake claims. Tax revenue mobilization by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), starting with its customs revenue system, is equally being worked on to ensure that revenue leaks are eliminated. Since corruption is a serious risk to social justice, sustainable development, national securi…
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
[(Laughter)]
[(Laughter)]
Hon. Members, I have stated in the past and now 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 investigative agencies and part…
[(Applause)]
[(Applause)]
entrenching national unity and inclusivity as a national value in our constitution is clearly evident. Our diversity is our source of power and this moment in the history of our nation calls for radical collaboration to transcend our challenges. We do not have the luxury of magnifying our differences. It is time for all of us to pull together and usher the nation into the future of our dreams. Wi…
[(Applause)]
Order, Hon. Members. Your Excellency the President, the Right Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Members, distinguished guests, please be upstanding. We have come to the end of the business of the day and it is now time to adjourn. The Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, 26th November, 2024 at 2.30 p.m. in the Senate chamber.
Hon. Members of the National Assembly, the National Assembly now stands adjourned until Monday, 25th November, 2024 at 2.30 p.m. I will repeat. The National Assembly stands adjourned until Monday, 25th November, 2024 at 2.30 p.m. I also take this opportunity to invite all Hon. Members and our guests to a reception at the Parliament’s courtyard. I also request all of you, Hon. Members and our gu…
Published by Clerk of the National Assembly Parliament Buildings Nairobi