President William Ruto has defended his signing eight Bills into law when the country was mourning the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
President Ruto, who spoke at Thome Village in Laikipia County on Thursday, said the news of Mr Odinga’s death broke after he had arrived at the office, readying to sign the bills presented by the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Parliamentary leadership.
“There are those condemning me for assenting to the bill arguing that the country was in mourning. But that is the work I had planned for that particular day and I received the news of Mr Odinga’s death after I had arrived in my office for the day’s work,” said Dr Ruto.
President William Ruto consoles Jedidah Wanjiku, the widow of the late Mzee Weston Kirocho Kanja (KK), at his funeral in Thome, Laikipia County. Mzee Kanja was the father of Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja.
Photo credit: PCS
The Head of State, who spoke during the burial ceremony of Mzee Weston Kirocho, the father of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, said the bills had passed all the provisions of law.
Among the bills signed on the morning of October 15 was the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment Bill, 2024), which has generated controversy, while its implementation has been stopped by the High Court, pending hearing and determination of a suit opposing it.
Among those who have criticised the bill on grounds that it would limit the digital space freedom is former Chief Justice David Maraga. On Wednesday, he said that the law, if enforced, grants the government excessive power to access or shut down online platforms and that it poses a threat to free expression.
On Wednesday, the High Court suspended implementation of two sections of the law, in a case filed by gospel singer Reuben Kigame and the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
In the suit, Mr Kigame cited the amendment to Section 27, which criminalises the publication of “false, misleading or fictional data”, arguing that it is constitutionally vague. The case will be mentioned on November 5, 2025, for directions.
President William Ruto is accompanied by leaders during the burial of Mzee Weston Kirocho Kanja, father of Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja, at Thome Boys High School grounds in Laikipia County on October 23, 2025.
Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi | Nation
Before the President’s remarks, the leader of the Majority in the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung’wah, had defended the law, saying it is good for the country. He attributed the strong opposition against its implementation to “an emerging culture of misinformation”.
“The issue of religious extremists such as the Shakahola deaths and cyberbullying on social media, at times leading to suicide cases must stop. We must stop those who are using the social media space to propagate terrorism. The amendments commenced in 2024 and have been passed by Parliament,” said Dr Ruto.
Mr Ichungw’ah said that the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Bill was assented into law in 2018 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, and all the current Parliament has only made some amendments.
“The bills passed by Parliament are good for the country but the culture of misinformation is so widespread that it has not spared the church or the Judiciary. I have heard a clergyman attack President Ruto for signing the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes but the bills are good in that they protect our children from dangers associated with digital platforms including terrorism,” said Mr Ichung’wah.
President William Ruto received by Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja during the burial of his father, Mzee Weston Kirocho Kanja, at Thome Boys High School grounds in Laikipia County on October 23, 2025. During the ceremony, the President urged political leaders to focus on development-driven competition rather than engaging in divisive politics.
Photo credit: Joseph Kanyi | Nation
He explained that a bloggers’ lobby went to court in 2018 after the law was passed, but it was later restored, pointing out that in the recent court matter over the controversial bill, the Judiciary is being misled by the same bloggers.
The MP called for the church to support the government in disseminating truth, claiming that government critics have been spreading falsehoods.
“There has also been a lot of falsehoods on the recently assented National Land Commission Bill which is supposed to address issues of historical injustices. There are false claims that the government now plans to tax land with freehold titles. I humbly ask religious leaders to help us counter the lies,” said the Kikuyu MP.
Elsewhere, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura also defended the President for signing the laws.
“They strengthen Kenya’s capacity to combat real and growing threats such as child pornography, online extremism, terrorism propaganda, cyber-harassment, identity theft and financial fraud,” Mr Mwaura said during his weekly briefing.
President William Ruto, Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja (left), Laikipia Deputy Governor Reuben Kamuri (extreme left), and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri during the funeral service of Mzee Weston Kirocho Kanja ‘KK’ in Thome, Laikipia County.
Photo credit: PCS
He said that the power of the National Computer Cybercrimes Coordination Committee to render a website or any application inaccessible is subject to judicial review.
“This approach mirrors international best practices where governments have enacted similar frameworks to protect citizens, especially children from harmful and extremist content.”
“The freedoms of expression and media under Articles 33 and 34 remain intact, subject only to limitations prescribed by the law in the interest of national security, public safety and morality.”
Some of the bills assented by the president on October 15 and which are now Acts include The National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023 Land (Amendment) Bill, 2024, The Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023, and The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Others are 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.
Several leaders attended the burial, including Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen and Rebecca Miano, several lawmakers led by area MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, and COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli, among other leaders.
Mzee Kirocho, a former prison officer, died on October 14 2025, aged 85. He is survived by two wives, 12 children, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
