By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, 19 November 2025 - Kitui Senator and Senate Minority Leader Enoch Wambua has urged President William Ruto to address the “real and urgent concerns” facing Kenyans when he delivers the State of the Nation Address on Thursday.
In a statement on Wednesday, Wambua said the address comes at a difficult moment for many households burdened by high taxes, shrinking incomes and what he described as unfulfilled government promises.
He called on the President to “speak real hope to a nation that is frustrated and anxious”.
The President is expected to speak before a joint sitting of Parliament, with his party, the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), saying preparations are complete.
In a post on its official page, UDA said the President will outline progress under his administration, including economic reforms, investments in agriculture, affordable healthcare and digital jobs.
The party described the address as a moment to reaffirm Kenya’s “renewal and long-term transformation”.
Wambua, however, warned the President against announcing any new taxes or levies, saying Kenyans “cannot bear another Fund, another Levy or another Loan”.
He criticised what he called the government’s “attack on the Kenyan payslip”, arguing that any further deductions would worsen the cost-of-living pressures.
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He also raised concerns about the government’s push to privatise strategic public assets, including the Kenya Pipeline Company.
Senator Wambua questioned how future budgets would be financed if key institutions were sold off to fund short-term spending.
The Senator said the education sector remains troubled, pointing to the recent 49-day lecturers’ strike and the plight of Junior Secondary School intern teachers.
He urged the President to give a clear plan for absorbing the 20,000 teachers on internship, saying they had worked on “a paltry pay” with the promise of permanent employment.
The Wiper Patriotic Front politician further called on President Ruto to adopt a more unifying tone in public engagements, claiming frequent insults directed at political rivals were sending the wrong message to the country.
“The President must act presidential and be a symbol of national stability,” he said.
President Ruto will address Parliament on Thursday afternoon as the country watches to see which concerns he will prioritise.
