NAIROBI, Kenya — National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has dismissed concerns over President William Ruto’s absence during the presentation of the 2026/27 Budget Statement, insisting the exercise is strictly a parliamentary function and does not require the Head of State’s presence.
Wetang’ula said there is no constitutional, legal or procedural obligation for the President to attend the annual budget presentation, noting that the process is anchored within the National Assembly and carried out by the National Treasury.
He made the remarks on the floor of the House ahead of the reading of the Budget Statement by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi.
“The President of the country is under no obligation to attend Parliament on the day when the Cabinet Secretary for Treasury and Planning comes not to read a budget, but to make a statement and give to the country his revenue-raising measures,” Wetang’ula said.
His comments come as President William Ruto continues with an official State Visit to Finland, where he is holding bilateral talks and participating in economic and diplomatic engagements.
Wetang’ula emphasised that the national budget process is a core responsibility of Parliament and should not be confused with occasions where the President addresses a joint sitting of the House.
He said the President only presides over Parliament during special sittings such as the State of the Nation Address.
“Indeed, if the President chose to come, which he can, he will sit in the Speaker’s row. He will not sit where I’m sitting, where he comes to sit to address the nation,” he said.
“The President will not sit where I’m sitting… so there is no such thing as a crisis because the President is out of the country,” he added.
The Speaker reiterated that the Budget Statement is presented by the Treasury Cabinet Secretary, who outlines government expenditure plans, revenue measures and economic priorities for the financial year.
“Budget is a preserve and an activity of the National Assembly exclusively,” Wetang’ula said.
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He noted that Parliament retains oversight of the entire budget-making process, while the Executive’s role is to propose and implement fiscal policy.
President Ruto’s absence comes as he undertakes a State Visit to Finland, where discussions are focused on bilateral cooperation, investment, trade and diplomatic relations.
The 2026/27 Budget Statement is being delivered under the theme “Sustaining the Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda for Resilient and Inclusive Growth Amid Global Uncertainty.”
The Speaker’s remarks follow public debate over whether the President should be physically present during one of the government’s most significant annual policy events.
Wetang’ula maintained that parliamentary business will proceed uninterrupted, stressing that the constitutional separation of powers between the Executive and Legislature remains clear and functional.
