NAIROBI, Kenya — The government has moved to ease public anxiety following widespread debate over the eight bills recently signed into law by President William Ruto, amid mounting concerns about their implications for land ownership, digital freedoms, and financial regulation.
In coordinated statements, Lands and Physical Planning Principal Secretary Nixon Korir and Parliamentary Affairs PS Aurelia Rono sought to clarify the intent and content of the new laws, saying misinformation had distorted their purpose and triggered unnecessary public alarm.
Korir addressed concerns over alleged changes to Kenya’s land tenure system, emphasizing that the amendments to the Land Act stemmed from a Private Member’s Bill sponsored by Ruiru MP Simon King’ara (UDA) — not from the government or the Leader of the Majority.
“The information circulating on social media about the conversion of land regimes from freehold to leasehold and the purported introduction of levies is misleading and not factual,” Korir said in a statement.
He explained that the amendments require the Chief Land Registrar to formally register all public land allocated to public institutions by the National Land Commission (NLC), as well as land set aside by developers for public amenities such as schools, hospitals, and markets.
“The amendments further require the registration of public land and land earmarked for public amenities to be published in the Kenya Gazette. This ensures transparency and prevents any grabbing or misuse of land reserved for public use,” he said.
PS Rono, in a full-page advertisement published in the Standard newspaper on October 23, 2025, defended the broader legislative package as a series of reforms aimed at enhancing governance, financial accountability, and digital regulation.
“The recently enacted Bills seek to infuse much-needed reforms and enhance government efficiency, including the State’s capacity to respond to crimes and financial tools that have emerged courtesy of recent advances in technology,” she said.
Rono noted that five of the eight Acts were introduced as Private Members’ Bills, a move she said reflected the “inclusivity and openness” of Kenya’s current legislative process.
“It affirms that ideas in Kenya’s democracy are judged not by who brings them forward, but by their merit and value to the nation,” she added.
The PS acknowledged that misreporting and misinformation had fueled confusion among the public, prompting the government to offer formal clarification.
“It is noteworthy that following the assent of the Bills, there has been misreporting of their contents, which has created huge public debate. To this end, there is a need to appraise the public on the contents and implications of the Bills in furtherance of transparency and good governance,” Rono said.
Among the laws signed by President Ruto on October 15, 2025, were the National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, Land (Amendment) Bill, Privatization Bill, Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, and National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill.
However, sections of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act have already been suspended by the High Court following a petition filed by activists and journalists challenging its constitutionality.
Rono also addressed the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025, sponsored by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, which seeks to regulate cryptocurrency and digital asset activities in Kenya.
“The Bill seeks to remedy Kenya’s grey-listing by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) for lack of regulation of virtual assets,” she explained. “It designates the Central Bank of Kenya and the Capital Markets Authority as the principal regulators of virtual asset service providers.”
The government insists the legislative package is part of President Ruto’s broader reform agenda aimed at strengthening transparency, curbing financial crimes, and improving governance.
“The Bills reinforce our collective commitment to address historical injustices, entrench equity and transparency, and accelerate national development,” Rono said.
While the government’s clarification aims to calm tensions, analysts say public skepticism remains high — particularly around laws perceived to expand state surveillance or influence over land and financial systems.
As legal challenges continue and civic debate deepens, the eight new Acts have become a key test of the administration’s balance between reform, accountability, and public trust.
