Members of Parliament will next week convene for a rare joint session as President William Ruto prepares to address the nation through a special sitting scheduled for Thursday, November 20, 2025.
The event, which will be held in the National Assembly Chamber at the Main Parliament Building, is expected to begin at 2:30 p.m. and will bring together both the National Assembly and Senate in accordance with the Constitution.
The announcement was made through a joint notice signed by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi on Tuesday, November 11.
The two Speakers confirmed that the sitting was arranged following a formal notification from President Ruto, who expressed his availability to deliver the address.
According to the notice, the special session was convened under Article 132(1)(b) of the Constitution, which requires the Head of State to address Parliament once every year.
The Speakers explained that Standing Orders 22(2) of the National Assembly and 25(2) of the Senate outline the procedure for convening such a sitting.
These rules require the respective Speakers to inform all Members of Parliament about the time, date, and place where the session will take place. They emphasized that the notice was issued to comply fully with parliamentary procedures and constitutional requirements.
The upcoming address is viewed as an important moment for both lawmakers and the public, as it provides the President with a platform to outline the government’s main agenda, share updates on major achievements, and highlight policy priorities for the year ahead.
The event also serves as a formal reflection on the country’s progress in various sectors, including the economy, infrastructure, health, and education.
Traditionally, the session begins with a formal procession into the Chamber, where the President is escorted by the maces of both Houses, symbolizing parliamentary authority.
Once the President concludes his address, the joint sitting is adjourned, allowing legislators time to study and later debate the content of the speech in their respective Houses.
President Ruto’s last address to Parliament took place on November 24, 2024, just two months after the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, an event that significantly shaped the political climate at the time.
His forthcoming address is therefore expected to draw widespread attention as Kenyans look forward to hearing the President’s assessment of the government’s performance and his vision for the coming year.
Many observers believe the address will touch on key issues such as economic recovery, job creation, and the implementation of development projects under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
The occasion will not only mark a constitutional requirement but also serve as a moment of national reflection, as citizens and leaders listen closely to the President’s message on the direction Kenya will take in the next phase of his administration.
