Senate · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 29 September 2022
The Speaker presented a series of policy initiatives aimed at accelerating economic transformation, including scaling up agricultural productivity, reducing fertilizer prices, and expanding affordable credit through the Hustler Fund. He also outlined plans for affordable housing, water and electricity access via public‑private partnerships, and reforms to health insurance to achieve universal health coverage, emphasizing the role of digital technology. The joint sitting was convened for the President’s inaugural address, beginning with prayers and formal notices confirming the session’s legality. Speakers highlighted record numbers of re‑elected MPs, increased women legislators, and the deepening inclusivity of Kenya’s democracy, while the President’s remarks humorously noted the unique political transitions in the country. The proceedings were met with applause and light‑hearted laughter. The Speaker highlighted Kenya’s deteriorating fiscal position, noting low national savings and excessive borrowing for recurrent spending, and called for a shift toward fiscal prudence. He announced plans to overhaul the social security system with a government‑matched savings scheme, and outlined drought relief efforts alongside a push for climate‑friendly policies. The address concluded with remarks on the importance of constituency development funds and parliamentary oversight.
Your Excellency, the President, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, hon. Members and invited guests, at this juncture, allow me to invite our spiritual leaders to lead us in prayers. (Prayers were then said by the following spiritual leaders:Bishop Kepha Omae, Sheikh Sukyan Hassan Omar, His Grace Bishop Philip Anyolo, Rt. (Rev.) Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, and Mr. Mancha Ole Kupai Se…
The Rt. Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, Members of Parliament, invited guests, you may now take your seats. Your Excellency, Hon. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Moses Wetangula E.G.H MP, hon. Members of Parliament, Article 132 (1) (a) of the Constituti…
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Your Excellency, Hon. (Dr.) William Samoei Ruto, CGH, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defense Forces, the Speaker of the Senate, Rt. Hon. Amason Kingi, the Hon. Lady Justice Martha Koome, EGH, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, hon. Members of Parliament, members of the Diplomatic corps, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. I w…
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We are also pleased to host the former Vice President of the Republic, Hon. Musalia Mudavadi, EGH, former speakers of the Houses of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Justine Bedan Muturi, EGH, my immediate predecessor and the Rt. Hon. Gov. Kenneth Lusaka, EGH.
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The Hon. Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate, hon. Members of the National Assembly and the Senate, by the grace of God, it is my pleasure to address this inaugural Session of the 13th Parliament following the August 9th, 2022 General Elections. It is important to note that we have made very positive progress. This Parliament has recorded the highest number of re-elected Members of Parli…
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commitments; aimed at positively affecting the wellbeing of all Kenyans from the bottom, up. In summary – and this only happens in Kenya, by the way – the siting Deputy President became the candidate of the Opposition, and the Leader of the Opposition became the candidate of Government. As things would be, the opposition candidate won the election and became President. The President became the le…
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It is in this spirit, that I would be seeking additional resources to support the bottom-up scaling of justice; and empower the Judiciary to acquire capacity and develop the infrastructure needed, to more efficiently adjudicate and expeditiously conclude corruption cases, commercial disputes and all other matters that are a huge back log on the Judiciary today. Hon. Members, to implement the pled…
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My administration will allocate resources every year to the Hustlers Fund from which micro, small and medium enterprises can access affordable credit to start and expand their businesses. Yesterday, I promised that we will leverage on technology in the management and disbursement of these funds. Shortly, we will be bringing to this House the legislation and regulatory framework to operationalise t…
Hon. Speakers and Hon. Members, I have news and it is not very good news. Our financial situation is not very good. For Kenya to grow to an upper income country, we need to invest at least 25 per cent of our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Our current national savings is below 10 per cent of our GDP which translates to an investment-savings deficit of 15 per cent of our GDP. Over the last decade, …
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public, that is the NSSF, and private only cater for people in formal employment, thereby excluding the vast majority of working Kenyans. There is no retired Kenyan today who is living on their NSSF retirement benefits. The meagre current contribution of Kshs200 a month adds up to Kshs72,000 over 30 years. There is no rate of return on earth that can grow this into an adequate pension. I mean, we…
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Hon. Members, please, be upstanding. Your Excellency the President, the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Members, we have come to the conclusion of the business of the day and it is now time to adjourn. The Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday, 4th October, 2022 at 2.30 p.m. in the Senate Chamber, Parliament Buildings.
Hon. Members, the National Assembly equally stands adjourned until Tuesday, 4th October, 2022 at 2.30
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