Hon. Mbithe Mulinge Condemns President Ruto’s Signing of Controversial Bills Amid National Mourning

Hon. Mbithe Mulinge, a nominated Member of County Assembly (MCA) in Kitui County, has strongly condemned President William Ruto’s move to sign eight controversial bills into law on the same day the nation was mourning the passing of opposition leader Raila Odinga.

Calling the timing “disrespectful” and the contents of the bills “deeply worrying,” Hon. Mulinge accused the government of pushing through far-reaching legislative changes while public attention was focused on a national tragedy.

“It is shameful and undemocratic for the government to sneak in such dangerous laws while Kenyans were grieving the loss of a statesman. These bills affect the core of our democracy, our freedoms, and the future of our children,” Hon. Mulinge told reporters at a press briefing in Kitui Town.

Concerns Over Oversight, Accountability, and Civil Liberties

Among the bills signed into law on October 15 are the Cybercrimes Bill, the Privatisation Bill, amendments to land and National Land Commission (NLC) laws, and the Police Service Bill — all of which Hon. Mulinge says threaten constitutional protections and devolved governance.“The Privatisation Bill allows public assets to be sold off with little to no parliamentary oversight. We are talking about national treasures being handed to private interests without public participation. That is theft in broad daylight,” she said.

She further warned that the Police Service Bill, which alters the structure of police oversight, could lead to increased executive control over law enforcement — a move she described as "a backslide into authoritarianism."“Without independent oversight, the police service risks becoming a political weapon. We have already seen cases of brutality, and this bill will make accountability even harder to achieve.”

Digital Freedoms and Economic Exclusion

Hon. Mulinge also raised alarm over the Cybercrimes Bill, which grants the government broader powers to block websites and digital platforms linked to “criminal or extremist” content — language she says is dangerously vague.

“This is a direct attack on freedom of expression. Today it’s extremist content, tomorrow it could be dissenting voices or whistleblowers. This is how digital dictatorship begins,” she warned.

She also criticized the Air Passenger Tax Bill, saying it will increase the cost of travel and hinder economic participation, especially for residents of rural counties like Kitui.“This bill disproportionately hurts hustlers and youth who are trying to access opportunities in the cities and beyond. It’s a tax on movement, a tax on dreams,” she added.

Call for National Dialogue and Civic Action

Hon. Mulinge is calling on civil society, fellow lawmakers, and citizens to reject the newly enacted laws and demand broader consultations and accountability.

“We must not stay silent. These laws were not passed in the spirit of democracy but through a deliberate attempt to avoid public scrutiny. We owe it to the people of Kenya — and the legacy of leaders like Raila Odinga — to defend our Constitution,” she concluded.

She further urged Parliament to initiate urgent reviews and legal challenges to the bills, and called on county assemblies to speak out, especially on issues affecting devolution, land rights, and public resources.