President William Ruto in a previous State of the Nation Address in State House, Nairobi// Photo Courtesy
Kenyans, particularly the Gen Zs are planning a mega protest ahead of President William Ruto’s State of the Nation Address slated for November 21, 2024.
Trending on X with #occupyparliament, the youths have announced that they will demonstrate on the same day the President will speak before the Parliament. They claim they do not recognise President William Ruto as the head of state, demanding for his immediate resignation.
They have termed the protest as the final revolution, fixing the nation.
Between 18th June and July this year, the country experienced massive demonstrations, marked by abductions, arrests, loss of lives and destructions of property.
According to police report, 495 injuries to police officers, 347 injuries to civilians, 42 civilian fatalities, and 69 cases of serious damage to Government vehicles were recorded. Also the report revealed that more than 90 femicide cases have been recorded over the past three months.
The Gen Zs announced this planned nationwide protest hours after the President confirmed his address.
Making the announcement yesterday, Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula said, that the President will deliver the address in a joint session of Parliament at 2:30 pm.
“The President shall address a special sitting of Parliament once every year and may address Parliament at any other time; he will report on all measures taken and progress achieved in realising national values and submit a report on the nation’s international obligations,” Wetang’ula stated.
The session will be held in the National Assembly Chambers, Parliament Buildings.
The head of state is expected to delve into critical concerns including, but not limited to, the ongoing crisis in the health sector, the high cost of living, challenges in education, and concerns over extrajudicial killings.
The address is in accordance with Article 132 (1) of the Constitution of Kenya that requires the President to address the nation once every year and at any other time.
Further, Article 132 (1) (c) requires the President to once every year report in an address to the nation, on measures taken and progress in the realisation of national values.
