NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto is facing accusations of violating the Constitution after signing into law seven Bills that allegedly bypassed the Senate, sparking fresh debate over the integrity of Kenya’s legislative process.
Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa on Wednesday claimed the President assented to eight Bills on October 15, seven of which were not subjected to Senate scrutiny as required under Article 110 of the Constitution.
The article mandates consultation between the two Houses on any Bill concerning counties.
“The Senate, which represents and safeguards the interests of counties, was unlawfully bypassed,” Sen. Thang’wa said in a statement, describing the move as “a gross violation of the Constitution and an assault on devolution.”
My PRESS STATEMENT on President Ruto’s Unconstitutional Assent of 7 Bills That Never Reached The Senate. #TopShotta
Among the Bills cited are the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Privatisation Bill, 2025, the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025, and the National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
Thang’wa questioned the timing of the assents, noting that they were done on the same day the country was mourning the death of opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
“While Kenyans reflected on the democratic values and justice that Raila Odinga stood for, the President quietly signed into law Bills that weaken the very institutions he fought to strengthen,” he said.
The @LawSocietyofKe filed a Petition challenging the Constitutionality of section 27(1)(b), (c) and (2) of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act. The High Court has issued conservatory orders suspending the enforcement and implementation of the provisions pending hearing and
The Senator urged the Senate leadership to seek an advisory opinion from the Supreme Court on the legality of the assented Bills under Articles 110, 111, 112, and 163 of the Constitution.
He also called on the Council of Governors, civil society groups, and young Kenyans to “defend the integrity of the legislative process” against what he termed “creeping authoritarianism.”
“This is not a partisan issue — it is a national concern,” Thang’wa said. “The Constitution belongs to the people, not to Ruto or the Executive. We will not allow any arm of government to mutilate or sidestep it for political convenience.”
