President Ruto Delivers 13th State of the Nation Address
President William Ruto has delivered the 13th State of the Nation Address in Parliament amid heightened security in central Nairobi.
He arrived at Parliament alongside First Lady Rachel Ruto and was received by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri. After greeting the leadership of both houses, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, the President inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Kenya Defence Forces before entering the chambers.
Senior government officials, diplomats, and invited guests filled the precinct, with a formal reception scheduled to follow the address. Security operations around Parliament were significantly strengthened. Officers from the General Service Unit and regular police were deployed along major access routes, including Harambee Avenue and City Hall Way.
Several roads were closed, and traffic marshals directed motorists and pedestrians to alternative routes to ease movement during the event. This year’s address takes place after President Ruto’s political reconciliation with Raila Odinga earlier in the year, a development that has softened the opposition stance that shaped last year’s session. The Orange Democratic Movement is now part of a broader political agreement, setting a more measured tone in Parliament.
State House indicated that the speech would outline progress in economic stabilisation, national security, education reforms, universal healthcare, infrastructure expansion, housing, digital transformation, and food security. Preparations had been underway throughout the week, with images from State House showing the President reviewing his final remarks.
