NAIROBI, Nov 20 (Prime Africa) – President William Samoei Ruto is set to deliver the 2025 State of the Nation Address today, fulfilling his constitutional duty under Article 132 of the Constitution of Kenya. The address comes at a time when the country is experiencing growing public frustration over rising taxes, surging living costs, alleged corruption, and unfulfilled government pledges.
Speaking on the eve of the national address, Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate cautioned the Head of State to approach his remarks with sobriety, reflection and empathy, noting that many Kenyans are “heavily burdened by shattered dreams and declining purchasing power.”
He urged the President to use the joint sitting of Parliament to restore public confidence, saying Kenyans are “tottering on the edge of hopelessness” due to both the actions and inaction of the Executive and its agencies in addressing basic social and economic rights.
The Senator strongly warned against the introduction of new tax measures, saying the public is already stretched to the limit. According to him, households, businesses and salaried workers can no longer withstand additional levies woven into daily goods and services.
“The attack on the Kenyan payslip by this regime is a major blow to every household in this country,” he said, criticizing the proposed Infrastructure Development Fund as another attempt to raid the incomes of citizens. “Kenyans cannot bear another Fund, another Levy or another Loan.”
He further called for a demonstrated commitment to fiscal discipline, transparency, and the responsible management of national resources, saying the public expects accountability at the highest levels of government.
In a sharp critique of recent legislative developments, the Senate Deputy Minority Leader cited the Cyber Crimes Amendment Act (2025) as part of what he described as a trend toward punitive policies. He argued that attempts to stifle free speech and curb online public scrutiny of government activity threaten democratic accountability.
“An attempt to limit the freedom of speech, deny oxygen to constructive digital activism and dim the light on public social audit on government spending in this era of information superhighways must be resisted by every well-meaning Kenyan,” he said.
President Ruto’s address will be closely watched for signals on taxation, economic recovery, governance, political direction and commitments going into 2026.
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