President William Ruto Set To Address The State Of The Nation

President William Ruto will present his second State of the Nation address to a joint session of Parliament on November 9, 2023. The address is expected to cover a wide range of issues, including the economy, security, healthcare, education, and infrastructure. It will also outline the administration’s plans for the future and how it intends to address the challenges facing the country.

In his opening remarks, President Ruto commended Members of Parliament for their election and emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration for effective oversight of resources and service delivery. He urged lawmakers to live up to their constituents’ expectations and raise the bar in accountability and service to the nation.

Recognizing the diverse constitutional mandates of the National Assembly and Senate, the President called for cooperation in enacting progressive legislation. He also stressed the importance of re-establishing and realigning the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) within constitutional provisions and establishing the Senate Oversight Fund, following the recent Supreme Court ruling deeming the Constituency Development Fund Act, 2013 unconstitutional.

President Ruto also outlined a transformational agenda, including overhauling the country’s social security infrastructure for greater inclusivity. To address national debt concerns, he detailed measures to stimulate the economy without increasing borrowing, such as promoting domestic saving and reducing recurrent expenditure.

In a display of fiscal responsibility, the President directed the National Treasury to review the 2022/2023 budget, aiming to cut Sh300 billion from non-essential projections. He also announced a national savings drive to encourage the informal sector to establish retirement health plans, aligning with the goal of achieving Universal Health Coverage.