NAIROBI, Kenya — As Kenyans mourned the death of opposition leader, former Prime Minister, the late Raila Amolo Odinga, President William Ruto quietly signed eight major Bills into law at State House, Nairobi, in what analysts have described as one of the most far-reaching legislative moves of his administration.
The timing — coinciding with the nation’s grief — has triggered debate over transparency, power, and public accountability.
In a statement posted on his official X account, President Ruto said the new laws would “reinforce our collective commitment to address historical injustices, entrench equity and transparency, and accelerate our national development agenda.”
Among the new laws are the National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Land (Amendment) Bill, 2024, the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill, 2023, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024, 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 Privatisation Bill, 2025.
Civil society groups and policy analysts have raised concerns that several of the laws — while framed as reforms — could expand executive authority and curb civil liberties.
The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, for example, grants the state broader powers to access, monitor, or restrict digital platforms accused of spreading misinformation, cyber threats, or content deemed “offensive.” Critics, including media-rights defenders, warn that such provisions could be misused to silence journalists, bloggers, and activists, undermining online free expression.
Similarly, the Privatisation Act, 2025, introduces a mechanism allowing the government to sell state-owned enterprises without fresh parliamentary approval, a move economists say could weaken checks and balances in the disposal of public assets. Supporters, however, argue that the law will streamline decision-making, attract private investment, and reduce bureaucratic delays in state restructuring.
The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 — hailed by some as a landmark in Africa — makes Kenya the first country on the continent to create a comprehensive framework for regulating cryptocurrencies and digital assets. The law establishes licensing, taxation, and oversight systems for digital asset operators. While it boosts investor confidence, experts caution that widespread use of U.S. dollar-backed stablecoins could destabilize the Kenyan shilling if not closely managed.
The Land (Amendment) Act and the National Land Commission (Amendment) Act aim to consolidate land governance under stronger state oversight. The amendments require public land allocations to be gazetted and titled, but land-rights groups argue that they centralize control and could erode community participation in land decisions — an area long mired in historical injustice.
The Wildlife (Amendment) Act, 2023, introduces stiffer penalties for poaching and new conservation management rules, a move expected to impact communities living near protected areas.
Meanwhile, the National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Act establishes counselling and psychosocial support units within the police service to address rising cases of stress, suicide, and indiscipline.
The decision to sign all eight Bills on October 15, the same day the country learned of Raila Odinga’s passing, has sparked widespread criticism.
Many Kenyans questioned the symbolism of enacting sweeping legislation on a day of national mourning, when public and media attention were diverted.
“It’s not the content alone but the coordination that’s concerning. Major legal changes deserve daylight, not silence,” said one Nairobi-based governance analyst quoted by The Standard.
Civil society organizations, including digital rights groups and economic think tanks, have announced plans to challenge several of the laws in court, particularly the cybercrime and privatization statutes.
Government officials have defended the timing and intent, insisting the new laws are part of a broader reform agenda to modernize governance, promote accountability, and enhance Kenya’s competitiveness.
“The President has acted within the law and in the best interests of the nation,” a senior official told Nation. “These are reforms that have been in discussion for years. Their implementation is about progress, not politics.”
Still, the optics remain powerful. As the country mourned a man who spent decades fighting for democracy and institutional transparency, the state was simultaneously reshaping those very institutions.
In the days ahead, attention is expected to shift to Parliament and the Judiciary, where petitions and legal reviews will test whether these new laws strengthen or strain Kenya’s democratic fabric.
