President Ruto Assents to Eight Landmark Bills, Ushering in Major Reforms

 

President William Ruto has today signed into law eight critical Bills during a ceremony held at State House, Nairobi — a move that marks a significant stride in Kenya’s journey toward institutional reform, transparency, and national development.

The legislation, recently passed by the National Assembly, covers a wide array of sectors including land, security, conservation, technology, finance, and governance. With the President’s assent, these Bills now form part of the official Statutes of the Republic of Kenya.

The Bills assented to include:

1. National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2023

2. Land (Amendment) Bill, 2024

3. Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, 2023

4. Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, 2024

5. National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill, 2024

6. Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, 2025

7. Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025

8. Privatisation Bill, 2025

Speaking during the assent ceremony, President Ruto described the new laws as a “bold reaffirmation” of his administration’s resolve to strengthen public institutions and promote accountability, economic growth, and social justice.

“With my assent, these laws now become part of the Statutes of the Republic of Kenya, reinforcing our collective commitment to address historical injustices, entrench equity and transparency, and accelerate our national development and transformation agenda,” the President said.

The Land-related amendments aim to address longstanding issues around land governance and historical injustices, while streamlining administration through reforms in the National Land Commission and the broader land management framework.

The Wildlife Conservation Bill seeks to modernize conservation efforts and strengthen penalties for poaching and environmental degradation, aligning with Kenya’s sustainability goals.

The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill introduces stronger safeguards against cyber threats and digital misinformation, enhancing national security and protecting citizens in the digital space.

Also significant is the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, which provides a regulatory framework for digital currencies and blockchain-based assets — a first in Kenya — opening up new avenues for fintech innovation and investment.

The Privatisation Bill, 2025, streamlines procedures for the sale of public enterprises, aimed at boosting efficiency and reducing the fiscal burden on the government.

The Air Passenger Service Charge Amendment revises levies on international and domestic travel, with the potential to support the modernization of airport infrastructure and enhance tourism competitiveness.

The President emphasized that these reforms are aligned with his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), adding that they are designed to benefit all Kenyans, especially those historically left behind.