President William Ruto has dismissed criticism over the timing of his decision to sign eight bills into law, moments before announcing the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, saying the process followed all constitutional procedures.
Speaking during the burial of Mzee Weston Kirocho Kanja, father of Inspector General Douglas Kanja, in Thome, Laikipia County, Ruto said the bills were not signed in secrecy and had gone through the required legislative process.
“Tuseme ukweli, kuna watu wanatafuta kuchafua Kenya kwa mbinu zote. Oooh, rais alisign… hii sheria ilikuweko. Amendment ilianza 2024 kupitia Bunge. Mimi niliamka Wednesday, na hiyo ndiyo ilikuwa kazi yangu siku hiyo — kazi ya kikatiba ya kutia sahihi,” said the President.
He added that it was purely coincidental that the signing happened on the same day the country received news of Raila Odinga’s passing.
“Bahati mbaya, tukapoteza waziri wetu wa zamani lakini tayari nilikuwa ofisini. Hata nilikuwa nimevaa shati naenda Ukambani kwa mambo ya barabara. So, I was on duty just like any other citizen,” he said.
The Head of State insisted there was nothing secret about the process, saying,
“Hakuna kitu ya kuficha, ya giza. We’re doing the right thing for Kenya.”
President Ruto also defended sections of the newly enacted laws, particularly those targeting misuse of digital platforms, saying they are necessary to curb harmful online behavior.
“Maneno ya religious extremism kama ya Shakahola lazima tuzuie. Vijana wetu wanaangamizwa huko social media na mambo machafu — usherati, pornography. Lazima tuzuie. Wale wanatumia mitandao kueneza ugaidi, we must stand up to them and protect Kenya,” he remarked.
On October 15, 2025, Ruto assented to eight key bills, among them:
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National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023
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Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024
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Privatisation Bill, 2025
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Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023
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Land (Amendment) Bill, 2022
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Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2025
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National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024
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Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025
The bills sparked public debate, with critics arguing that the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill expanded the offence of cyber harassment.
In particular, Section 27 of the amended law introduced a penalty of up to Ksh.20 million fine or 10 years imprisonment for offenders.
Following public outcry, Justice Lawrence Mugambi of the Milimani Law Courts temporarily suspended the controversial clause, pending a petition filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and former presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame.
