The 8 controversial bills President Ruto signed into Law October 15
While Kenyans were still reeling in the shock of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, President William Ruto was signing 8 controversial bills into Law. The bills are:
The Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, 202: The Bill revises air travel service charges. Passengers on international flights will pay USD 50, while those on domestic routes will be charged Sh600. The collected funds will be distributed between the Tourism Fund and the Kenya Meteorological Department.
The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024: For instance, grants broader authority to government agencies to access and restrict online accounts suspected of spreading misinformation or cyber threats. Critics fear this could be used to silence dissenting voices or journalists under the guise of cybersecurity.
The Land (Amendment) Bill, 2024: This Bill modernizes land ownership and registration procedures. It requires buyers to verify a seller’s identity through the digital land registry and allows land transactions to be carried out electronically to reduce fraud and prevent the creation of fake titles.
The National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023: The Bill introduces new provisions on how land issues are managed. It empowers the National Land Commission to review historical land allocations, oversee compensation for those affected by public projects, and resolve land disputes. It also mandates that all public land transactions be published in the Kenya Gazette before registration.
The National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024: This Bill revises the management of police personnel. It gives the Inspector-General greater control over recruitment, promotions, and transfers, while the National Police Service Commission will mainly focus on officers’ welfare and disciplinary issues.
The Privatisation Bill, 2025: This Bill reforms the process through which the government sells its stake in state-owned companies. It eliminates the need for Parliament’s approval and grants the National Treasury exclusive authority to determine which companies can be sold and how the transactions are conducted.
The Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025: The Bill brings cryptocurrency trading and exchanges under formal regulation. It requires all digital asset platforms to register, maintain transparency, and comply with anti–money laundering measures to safeguard users from fraud and misuse
The Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023: The Bill enhances wildlife protection and improves compensation for victims of human–wildlife conflict. It raises penalties for wildlife offences and provides clear guidelines for compensating individuals affected by animal attacks or property destruction caused by wild animals.
~WakenyaCanada
