National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Thursday, 9 November 2023
President William Ruto outlined a series of reforms, noting rapid growth in teacher training enrolments, the introduction of a student‑centred scholarship and loan model and the chartering of the Open University of Kenya. He also highlighted major health initiatives—including new legislation, the deployment of 100,000 community health promoters and the recruitment of 20,000 health workers—while stressing the importance of national dialogue and the recruitment of security personnel from trained youth. The address was received with applause and gratitude toward Parliament for supporting these initiatives. President William Ruto used the afternoon sitting to showcase a series of government initiatives, emphasizing the farmer registration and fertilizer subsidy programme, expanded fish landing sites, dairy and coffee reforms, and the restructuring of sugar mills. He also highlighted progress on debt repayment, the affordable housing drive and the creation of jobs through Jua‑Kali clusters, noting strong support from county governors. The remarks were met with repeated applause, underscoring a broadly optimistic tone. The joint special sitting was convened to hear President William Ruto’s constitutional address under Article 132, where he reported on the government’s progress in implementing national values, governance reforms and sectoral development. He highlighted achievements such as judicial appointments, strengthening law‑enforcement and safeguarding citizen freedoms, emphasizing a continued transformation agenda for Kenya.
You may be seated. Order, Hon. Members. Your Excellency, the Hon. (Dr) William Samoei Ruto, CGH, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in- Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces; the Rt. Hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Moses Wetangula, E.G.H, MP; Hon. Members of Parliament, Article 132 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya requires the President to address the Special Sitting of
Consequently, pursuant to Standing Order No.25(i) and (ii) of the Senate, I gave notice of today's Special Sitting to the Hon. Senators by Gazette Notice No.14716, which was published in the Kenya Gazette on Friday, 3rd November 2023. Accordingly, Hon. Members, this Special Sitting is properly convened. I thank you.
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Your Excellency, Hon. (Dr) William Samoei Ruto, C.G.H, President of the Republic of Kenya and the Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces; the Rt. Hon. Amason King, E.G.H, 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 of Kenya requires the President to address t…
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We are similarly pleased to host the former Vice-President of the Republic, Hon. Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, E.G.H, who is also the Co-Chair of the National Dialogue Committee. We are also honoured to have in our midst the immediate former Speakers of the Houses of Parliament, the Hon. Justin B.N. Muturi, E.G.H, the Attorney-General of the Republic of Kenya; and the Hon. Kenneth Lusaka, E.G.H, the Go…
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Thank you very much, Hon. Members. I rise before this distinguished assembly of the democratically elected representatives of the people of Kenya to discharge my constitutional functions under Article 132 (1) (c) . The occasion requires me to give an account to the people of Kenya, the measures taken by their government, under my leadership, and to give full expression and effect to the soul of o…
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I have a substantial report to give on the progress made in fulfilling this solemn covenant, and that the journey of transforming Kenya for the benefit of present and future generations is fully underway. Its positive effects have also begun to bear fruit across many sectors of our national endeavour from the grassroots to the Capital of Nairobi.
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Citizen freedoms and fundamental rights lie at the heart of enterprise and democracy. Accordingly, our governance system must be fit for purpose; able to protect people and their belongings, safeguard freedom, facilitate democracy and promote market efficiency. To do this, law enforcement must be robust; judicial integrity, efficiency and independence absolute; and the right to the protection of t…
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We rolled out a countrywide farmer registration and fertiliser subsidy programme that has made available 5.5 million bags to farmers across Kenya. We have progressively reduced the cost of fertiliser from Ksh6,500 to Ksh2,500, increased maize acreage under production by an extra 200,000 acres and enhanced maize production by an additional 18 million bags this year. As a result of these interventio…
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Additionally, we are enhancing dairy productivity for better farmer returns. The Government, working closely with milk processors, and I had a long conversation with them in Nakuru… We are mapping the country to ensure coolers are supplied where needed. Soon, farmers will be paid based on milk quality ths boosting incomes. They can also enjoy global market access. Our reforms in the coffee sector …
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Our efforts to stabilise the situation have yielded such progress that next month, in December, we will be able to settle the first $300 million or Ksh500 billion instalment of the $2 billion Eurobond debt that falls due next year.
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responsible to respond to him. Consequently, I hereby direct the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs to expeditiously engage Mr Kenga. I will give you his telephone number.
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Hon. Members, you all know that we get mortgages at 3 per cent. The people in the social space also deserve to get 3 per cent. Those in the affordable housing space, will get at 6 per cent and 9 per cent for the market rate category. The affordable housing programme has received tremendous support from county governments across Kenya, and I thank Governors for their partnership. The Chairperson o…
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the capacity to effectively deliver learning and teaching at junior school levels. Hon. Omboko Milemba can confirm this. With changes to the entry requirements for Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs), admission has increased by 300 per cent to now 20,456 trainees. I was privileged to open the Kwale TTC, which had less than 100 students a few months ago. When I went there, the Principal told me that t…
In the last one month, CHPs have attended to 1.2 million households.
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To consolidate this proposition, we have directed that 80 per cent of future recruits to all our national security services from the military, police, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and all other security agencies will be from among the well- trained, talented and committed young men and women who have undergone training at NYS.
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electoral disagreements. This is because we have a robust democracy, which we are very proud of. Such pressure can disrupt lives and livelihoods and undermine our economy. Thankfully, Kenyans always find the moral strength and political imagination to reach across the political divide and engage in dialogue in the spirit of goodwill, fraternity, commitment to national interests and the welfare of …
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Hon. Members, please, be upstanding. Your Excellency the President, 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, 14th November 2023 at 2.30 p.m. at the Senate Chamber.
Hon. Members, remain upstanding. Hon. Members, the National Assembly now stands adjourned until Tuesday, 14th November 2023 at 2.30 p.m. Your Excellency the President, I also take this opportunity to invite all Members and our guests to a reception at the Parliament courtyard. I also request all Members and our guests to remain standing in your places until the procession of His Excellency the P…
Published by Clerk of the National Assembly Parliament Buildings Nairobi