For the first time, President William Ruto will deliver Kenya’s New Year address from Kisii State Lodge. This significant departure from tradition marks the head of state’s first New Year address outside major cities, underlining his administration’s commitment to inclusivity and nationwide representation.
Kisii State Lodge is one of Kenya’s nine regional lodges, distributed strategically across counties to ensure accessibility for presidential functions. These lodges complement the country’s three main State Houses located in Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru. The other State Lodges are located in counties such as Kakamega, Kisumu, Eldoret, Makueni, Kilifi, and Nyeri.
Last year, President Ruto welcomed the New Year from Nakuru State House, where he outlined his government’s achievements during his first few months in office. His message emphasized key aspects of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, a cornerstone of his administration’s strategy to foster economic growth and address long-standing inequalities.
This year’s address is highly anticipated, as the president is expected to review progress made on various policies and programs implemented in 2023. Among these are efforts to empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs), enhance agricultural productivity, and create jobs for the youth critical pillars of his economic transformation blueprint.
Choosing Kisii for this year’s address symbolizes a deliberate effort to decentralize state functions and connect with citizens at the grassroots. By holding such a high-profile event in Kisii, President Ruto sends a clear message about the importance of regional development in his broader vision for national unity and prosperity.
The significance of this move extends beyond politics. It highlights the utility of State Lodges as venues for engaging communities and underscores their role in fostering inclusivity. Residents of Kisii and its environs have expressed pride in hosting the president, viewing this as a moment of recognition and an opportunity to showcase their region’s potential.
As 2024 begins, Kenyans will be keenly listening to the president’s reflections on the past year and his plans for the future. With economic recovery, infrastructure development, and education reforms among the pressing priorities, Ruto’s message will set the tone for national discourse in the months ahead.
By taking this New Year tradition to Kisii, President Ruto underscores his administration’s commitment to making government accessible and responsive to all Kenyans, regardless of geography.
