Tuesday, 12th September, 2017

Hon. Members, it is now time for us to be led in prayer by the spiritual leaders.

Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit, Bishop Alfred Rotich, Rashid Ali Omar and Mr. Simon Peter Letabanyi Lekarikei)

Your Excellency, Hon. Uhuru

Your Excellency, Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenya Defence Forces, the Speaker of the Senate, Hon. Kenneth Lusaka and Hon. Members of Parliament, I wish to confirm that Article 132 (1) (a) of the Constitution of Kenya requires the President to address the opening of each newly elected Parliament. In this regard, pursuant to the said Article of the Constitution and further pursuant to Standing Order No.21 (1) of the National Assembly Standing Order by Gazette Notice No.8877 which was published in a special issue of the Kenya Gazette on 8th September 2017, I gave notice of this Joint Sitting to all Members of the National Assembly. Accordingly, this Joint Sitting is properly convened.

Hon. Members, let me begin by apologising because I have a cold, mnisamehe.

Hon. Speakers and hon. Members of the National Assembly and the Senate, first and foremost, I take this opportunity to thank God for the gift of a great country filled with the bounty that we need, as well as continued peace. I also thank all Kenyans for expressing in a very mature and patient manner their sovereign will during the just concluded general elections. Millions of voters stood in long queues, in the sun and rain, some hungry and thirsty, in their quest to express their democratic choice. I offer to you, all hon. Members, my heartfelt congratulations on being elected to Parliament.

Hon. Speakers and hon. Members, by our Constitution and traditions, you represent the sovereign will and aspirations of millions of Kenyans. I wish all of you every success in fulfilling your important national duty in the next five years. I urge you to never forget that we are here representing the Kenyan people who have an urgent need for governance that delivers to them peace, security and prosperity. I also take this opportunity to celebrate the women of Kenya who continue to demonstrate leadership throughout the country. Three women were elected governors while others won positions as Senators, Members of the National Assembly and Members of County Assemblies. One of our women who is handicapped also managed to secure the seat of Women Representative in Kajiado County. Congratulations!

I have previously demonstrated this fidelity to the best interests of the Kenyan people as happened when I conceded the loss of an election in 2002. You will also recall that I heeded the summons from a foreign court even though I knew I was answering trumped up charges.

sovereign will to an office that is the symbol of national unity, that protects our security and is key to delivering development and prosperity.

Kenyans will line up again on 17th of October, 2017. The marks that millions of voters will make on the ballot paper will represent far more than the desires of politicians. As Kenyans did on 8th August, 2017, they will vote for different candidates. However, almost every single man and woman in Kenya will be using the vote to seek the same things; a better livelihood, access to good healthcare, a more promising future for their children, decent jobs for all those willing to work and security for all.

It must be understood that the marked ballots represent more than technology, more than computer systems or even where papers were printed. The mark is the choice of a sovereign people. Their choice is sacred and must never again be frustrated or ignored.

Hon. Members, as we move forward during this momentous time, you, as newly elected leaders, must firmly take up your place in the governing of this great nation. Your promises to the electorate were turned into a solemn oath last week in which you swore, to bear true faith and allegiance to the people and the Republic of Kenya and that you would obey, respect, uphold, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Republic of Kenya; and that you would faithfully and conscientiously discharge the duties of a Member of Parliament.

Hon. Members, in the coming days, you will be called upon to be true to that oath; I urge you to do your duty. It is the same oath that I made when I became President and Commander-in-Chief. Kenyans expect us to understand the weight of responsibility in living up to our oath and having wisdom and clarity as we carry out our duties.

It is, indeed, no accident that the first two Articles of the Constitution declare that the sovereignty of the people is exercised through their elected representatives and that Parliament represents the diversity of the nation. These words represent the hard sacrifices and hopes of generations of Kenyans who fought to earn the right to govern themselves and to freely choose their representatives.

That history places a profound responsibility on the Members of this House to “protect this Constitution and promote the democratic governance of the Republic.”

Hon. Members, the separation of powers of the three arms of Government is a critical constitutional principle in protecting the liberty of the people. However, given the complexity of the public issues, the three arms of Government as well as constitutional commissions have to handle; they must work together willingly even as they respect each other’s functional independence.

Equally important, the three arms are supposed to be free from intimidation or control by any foreign or domestic actors and any special interest groups.

Every Kenyan official who serves in these arms of Government and commissions must be constantly on the lookout for any actions that undermine their independence. They should understand that undertaking the sacred task that the Kenyan people have given them requires that they constantly remember and affirm, in word and deed, that the people of Kenya are sovereign.

Hon. Members, no technicality, no conference, no process, no power or no influence should ever stand in the way of that sovereign will. The Kenyan people expect every arm and institution of Government to work together for them. Parliament directly

represents the people and it is you, hon. Members, who must constantly remind all of us about the needs and aspirations of the people who sent you here.

Hon. Speakers and Members, our country is at a defining moment during which we are called upon to rise to our wisest, our most generous and most honest. Every Member of this august House represents the full and beautiful diversity of our nation.

From Mombasa to Malaba, from Namanga to Moyale we may speak different languages, worship differently and live in different parts of the country, but we must accept that we are one people; children of Kenya. The success of our nation is the love that each and every one of our people has for this country. Yes, we must all love Kenya and Kenya must always come first.

Hon Members, this august House must stand for that unity and must rise to the promises we have made to the people of this great nation. Nothing can come second to that.

Finally, hon. Speakers and Members, let me once again emphasize that we must

work together to serve our people. We must understand that the future prosperity, peace and security of our beloved nation is firmly but safely in our hands.

May God bless the Twelfth Parliament. As you start your work, you can count on my 110 per cent support. I thank you and wish you God’s blessings.

May God bless this great nation of Kenya.

Hon Members, please be upstanding. Your Excellency the President, Rt. hon. Speaker of the National Assembly, hon. Members, we have come to the conclusion of the business of the day and it is now time to adjourn.

The Senate stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday 13th September, 2017 at

Hon. Members, I wish to thank His Excellency the President for his Address to Parliament and the nation at large. It is now my singular pleasure to invite His Excellency the President, the Deputy President, hon. Members, Cabinet Secretaries and all invited guests to a reception at the Parliament court hereafter.

Hon Members, you are requested to remain upstanding until the President’s procession, including the religious leaders have left the Chamber.

Hon Members of the National Assembly, the National Assembly stands adjourned until tomorrow, Wednesday 13th of September, at 930 a.m.

Parliament rose at 3.55 p.m.