President William Ruto assented eight bills into law on 15th October that have attrated backlash from netizens and political figures alike.
The Computer Misuse and Cybercrime (Amendment) Act, 2024 broadens the scope of online offences. It empowers the government to block or take down websites and apps that promote crime, terrorism, child exploitation, or cult activities. The bill also targets offences such as scam phone calls, SIM-swap fraud, and fake online investment schemes.
Additionally, anyone who sends messages that incite fear, violence, or cause serious offence faces a fine of up to Sh20 million or a jail term of up to 10 years.
The High Court suspended the enforcement of the contentious this act pending the hearing and determination of a petition filed by political activist Reuben Kigame.
The Virtual Asset Service Providers Act, 2025 seeks to regulate cryptocurrency trading and exchanges.
It requires all crypto platforms to register, maintain transparency, and comply with anti–money laundering regulations to safeguard users from fraud.
The Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Act, 2025 proposes new air travel fees.
Passengers on international flights will pay USD 50, while those on domestic routes will pay Sh600.
The revenue collected will be shared between the Tourism Fund and the Kenya Meteorological Department.
The Privatisation Bill, 2025 revises the procedure for selling government shares in state-owned enterprises.
It eliminates the need for Parliament’s approval and grants the Treasury complete authority to decide which companies to privatise and how the process will be carried out.
The National Land Commission (Amendment) Act, 2023 introduces new measures for managing land issues.
It empowers the commission to review historical land allocations, oversee compensation for people affected by government projects, and resolve land disputes.
The bill also mandates that all public land transactions be published in the Kenya Gazette before registration.
The Land (Amendment) Act, 2024 modernises land ownership and registration procedures.
It requires land buyers to verify the seller’s identity via the digital land registry and permits electronic land transactions to curb fraud and the issuance of fake titles.
The Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023 aims to strengthen wildlife protection and improve compensation for those affected by animal attacks.
It raises penalties for wildlife-related offences and establishes clear guidelines for compensating victims of wildlife attacks or property damage caused by wild animals.
The National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Act, 2024 restructures the management of police officers.
It grants the Inspector-General greater authority over recruitment, promotions, and transfers, while limiting the commission’s role to handling disciplinary and welfare issues.
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