Hansard Summary

President Uhuru Kenyatta used the special sitting to report strong economic growth, security and democratic progress, while warning against corruption and urging Parliament to restore its dignity. Members responded with chants like “Fire them!” and applause, reflecting both support for anti‑corruption rhetoric and tension over recent parliamentary controversies. The Senate and National Assembly concluded the special sitting on 26 March 2015 and were adjourned until 31 March 2015. The Speaker announced the next meeting times for both chambers. No substantive policy debate was recorded.

Sentimental Analysis

Mixed

THE PARLIAMENT OF KENYA

THE SENATE

THE HANSARD

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

PARLIAMENT OF KENYA

JOINT SITTING OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY AND THE SENATE

Thursday, 26th March, 2015

ARRIVAL OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT

[His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta) took the Chair]

COMMUNICATION FROM THE CHAIR

CONVENING OF SPECIAL SITTING OF PARLIAMENT FOR ANNUAL STATE OF THE NATION ADDRESS BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT

The Speaker of the National Assembly (Hon. Muturi)

Your Excellency, Hon.

The Speaker of the National Assembly (Hon. Muturi)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS EXPOSITION OF PUBLIC POLICY

His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

The Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, Speakers of Parliament, Members of Parliament, fellow Kenyans, ladies and gentlemen, today, for the second time and in line with my constitutional obligation, I address this Special Sitting of Parliament, to outline the State of the nation in relation to our values and principles of governance, as elaborated in Article 10; the state of the nation’s security, as provided for in Article 240; and our status in fulfilling our international treaty obligations, under Article 132 of our Constitution.

Hon. Members, as we approach my second anniversary as the President, I am pleased to report that the state of our nation is strong. Our economy is growing robustly. Our nation is secure and our place in the community of nations is respected.

In the year under review, we, as a nation, have continued to deepen our democracy and the rule of law. Public participation in governance has grown at all levels, while institutional measures to secure the basic rights and freedoms of our people

His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)
(Applause)
His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)
(Applause)
(Applause)
His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)
His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)
His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)
His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)
(Laughter)
His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)
(Applause)
(Applause)
(Applause)
His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)
(Applause)
(Applause)
(Applause)
His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)
(Applause)
His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

Hon. Members

Fire them! Fire them!

His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

I do not fire; kazi ni yenu ya kuwatoa. Watoeni ninyi!

From reports I have received, I strongly believe that this is a further attempt to subvert the successful prosecution of the Anglo Leasing cases.

As I have indicated, constitutional office holders, State officers and every public servant are bound by the values enshrined in our Constitution. They are required to uphold the highest standards of personal integrity in the discharge of their official functions. In view of the oath of office that I took as the President of the Republic, let it be known that today, I draw the line. No one will stand between Kenyans and what is right in the fight against corruption and other monstrous economic crimes.

(Applause)
(Applause)
(Applause)
His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)
(Applause)
Hon. Members

Yes! Yes!

(Applause)
His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

Fellow Kenyans, hon. Members, ladies and gentlemen, in view of Parliament’s oversight role

and its representation of the people, I would be remiss not to express the disquiet caused by recent events that cast aspersions on Parliament.

Hon. Members

Yes! Yes!

His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

As a previous Member, I urge you, hon. Members, to take all measures to urgently restore the dignity and integrity of Parliament. This is essential for an institution whose effective performance is a cornerstone of our democracy.

The war on corruption will not be won unless all arms and levels of Government play their role and uphold the highest levels of integrity and act decisively against any perpetrator of corruption.

Fellow Kenyans, there is no challenge, no obstacle that is too great for us to overcome. An indomitable Kenyan spirit has seen this nation secure its freedom and grow

His Excellency the President (Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta)

March 26, 2015

JOINT PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

(Applause)
(Applause)

ADJOURNMENT

The Speaker of the Senate (Hon. Ethuro)

Your Excellency, Sir, unfortunately, we have come to the end of this Special Sitting of Parliament. The Senate stands adjourned until Tuesday 31st March, 2015 at 9.00 a.m. in the Senate Chamber.

The Speaker of the National Assembly (Hon. Muturi)

Your Excellency Sir, the National Assembly stands adjourned until Tuesday 31st March, 2015 at 2.30 p.m.

DEPARTURE OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT