Editor's Review
Parliament has announced the date for President William Ruto’s 2026 State of the Nation Address, which will be delivered during a special sitting of the National Assembly and the Senate.
Parliament has announced the date for President William Ruto’s 2026 State of the Nation Address, which will be delivered during a special sitting of the National Assembly and the Senate.
In a notice on Wednesday, November 11, Speakers of both Houses confirmed that the President would address lawmakers on Thursday, November 19, at 2:30 p.m.
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"Whereas, Article 132 (1) (b) of the Constitution requires the President to address a special sitting of Parliament once every year.
"And whereas, following a notification by His Excellency Hon. William Samoei Ruto, PhD., C.G.H., President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Speaker of the National Assembly, and the Speaker of the Senate have convened a special sitting of the Houses of Parliament to be held on Thursday, 19th November, 2026 commencing at 2.30 p.m. for purposes of the President's address," the notice read.
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According to the notice, the session will take place at the National Assembly Chamber in the Main Parliament Building, Nairobi.
"Now therefore, Members of Parliament and the general public are hereby notified that a Special Sitting of Parliament shall be held in the National Assembly Chamber, Main Parliament Building, Nairobi, on Thursday, 19th November, 2026, at 2.30 p.m," the notice added.
This development comes days after Senate Speaker Amason Kingi announced changes to the Senate Majority Party leadership, confirming the removal of Senator Tabitha Karanja as Deputy Senate Majority Leader and the nomination of Senator Veronica Maina to replace her.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 4, Kingi said the development followed correspondence received from Senate Majority Whip, Bungoma Senator David Wakoli, communicating the majority party's decision to change its leadership.
Kingi explained that the correspondence was accompanied by documents detailing the party's decision and demonstrating support for the changes.
"Honorable Senators, by the letter dated 3rd of November 2026, I received correspondence from the Senate Majority Whip, Senator David Wakoli, regarding changes in the majority party leadership affecting the office of the Deputy Senate Majority Leader," he said.
Kingi further disclosed that the documents submitted by the Majority Whip included minutes of a meeting held by the majority party and a list of senators who supported the resolution.
"The said letter from the Senate Majority Whip was accompanied by the following documents: one, the minutes of the majority party meeting dated Tuesday, 3rd of November 2026, which is a record of the proceedings of the meeting together with the resolutions; and two, a duly signed list of senators in support of the resolution," he added.
Kingi confirmed that the majority party had resolved to remove Karanja from the position and had formally proposed Maina as her replacement.
"The correspondence and the attached minutes indicate that a resolution was passed by the majority party to remove the Deputy Senate Majority Leader, Senator Tabitha.
"The letter of the Majority Whip further informs my office that the majority party has submitted elected Senator Veronica Maina, CBS, MP, to serve as Deputy Senate Majority Leader in accordance," he further said.
