Public, media went to sleep as Bills were passed by Parliament and signed into law
President William Ruto in a past photo. He signed seven Bills into law on October 15, 2025, just before he formally announced the news of the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
The life cycle of a Bill is a multi-stage process, from when it is drafted and tabled in Parliament, to when it is passed and sent to the President.
Once the Bill is introduced in Parliament, it becomes a public document, and the media and any discerning citizens can access and discuss it.
In the aftermath of the signing of eight Bills into law by President William Ruto on October 15, (coincidentally), only moments after the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, Kenyans took to social media in a loud protest.
The timing was wrong, some cried out, accusing the President of taking advantage of a country in mourning to sneak in the laws. Retired Chief Justice David Maraga boldly opposed some of the laws. His main concern was with the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Amendment Act, which he described as draconian, and the Privatisation Act, “ a dangerous piece of legislation that effectively transfers control of public assets from Parliament and the people to the Executive”.
