Ruto Signs Seven Bills into Law

NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has signed into law seven parliamentary Bills aimed at advancing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), signaling a push to reform taxation, boost governance, and enhance the business environment.

The Bills include the Kenya Revenue Authority (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Kenya Roads (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill 2023, the Business Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024, the Tax Procedures (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024.

Key Reforms Under the New Laws

Kenya Revenue Authority (Amendment) Bill 2024
The law empowers the Commissioner-General to appoint deputy commissioners, subject to board approval. It also allows the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary to waive penalties for agents who fail to transfer collected funds, provided the failure is deemed unintentional.

Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Amendment) Bill 2024
This Bill implements governance reforms proposed by the National Dialogue Committee. Notably, it requires the commission’s chairperson to have qualifications equivalent to a High Court judge, ensuring experienced leadership at the helm.

Business Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
Focused on enhancing financial stability and easing business operations, the Bill mandates accreditation of assessment institutions by the Kenya Accreditation Service. It also empowers the government to set minimum investment requirements for enterprises in special economic zones and establish a one-stop shop for business applications.

Statutory Instruments (Amendment) Bill 2023
The amendments require any Cabinet Secretary who fails to submit statutory instruments to Parliament to publish a gazette notice nullifying the regulation. Parliament is also empowered to declare such instruments null and void, with violators facing fines ranging from Ksh.20,000 to Ksh.1 million.

Tax Procedures (Amendment) Bill 2024
The law simplifies compliance for small businesses by clarifying the requirements for Electronic Tax Invoices. Key details such as supplier and purchaser information, invoice serial numbers, and transaction dates must now be included, reducing ambiguities for taxpayers.

Tax Laws (Amendment) Bill 2024
The Bill introduces tax incentives to support workers, retirees, and local industries. The changes aim to promote agricultural productivity, boost the manufacturing sector, encourage home ownership, and strengthen Kenya’s trade ties. Additionally, the amendments align the taxation framework with the broader goal of mobilizing domestic resources.

The enactment of these laws underscores President Ruto’s commitment to accelerating economic reforms under the BETA blueprint.

By streamlining governance, enhancing tax compliance, and improving the ease of doing business, the government seeks to attract investments, create jobs, and uplift livelihoods across the country.

“These reforms are critical to addressing the challenges faced by small businesses, strengthening public institutions, and fostering an environment conducive to growth,” President Ruto stated during the signing.

The Bills are expected to have widespread implications, from providing tax relief for employees and retirees to empowering anti-corruption efforts and facilitating business expansion within special economic zones.