President Ruto during the State of the Nation Address in 2024. File Photo 
By Ryan Mumo
Parliament will hold a special joint sitting this Thursday after Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula formally notified Members of Parliament that President William Ruto will deliver the 13th State of the Nation Address on November 20, 2025.
In a communication from the Chair, Speaker Wetang’ula said he had received an official message from the President, as required under Standing Order 42(1), which mandates the Speaker to relay any presidential communication presented to his office.
“I wish to inform the House that I have received a message from His Excellency the President indicating his intention to deliver the 2025 State of the Nation Address on Thursday, 20th November 2025, pursuant to Article 132(1) of the Constitution,” the Speaker announced.
He reminded MPs that Article 132(1)(b) and (c) obligates the Head of State to address a special sitting of Parliament once every year to outline measures taken and progress achieved in realising national values under Article 10. The President is also required to publish these details in the Kenya Gazette and submit to the National Assembly a report on Kenya’s fulfilment of its international obligations.
The special sitting is scheduled for Thursday at 2:30 p.m. in the National Assembly Chamber. A notice to that effect was published in Kenya Gazette Notice No. 16519 on November 12, 2025, alongside a corresponding newspaper advertisement informing legislators and the public.
Wetang’ula further revealed that the Offices of the Clerks of both Houses have already commenced preparations for the event, with additional logistical information to be communicated to MPs ahead of the address.
