Members of Parliament have called on Kenyans to take a more active role in shaping national laws, warning that public indifference during consultations often fuels misinformation and outrage once new legislation is enacted.
Speaking during a stakeholder engagement on the Capital Markets (Amendment) Bill, 2025 and the Government-Owned Enterprises (GOE) Bill, 2025, members of the Departmental Committee on Finance and National Planning urged citizens to use public participation forums to make their voices heard.
Committee member Hon. Julius Rutto praised those who attended the session but lamented that many Kenyans, particularly young people, remain disengaged until it is too late.
“We want to encourage young people to participate in lawmaking rather than complain later when laws are already in place,” he said.
Session chair Hon. David Mboni added that public views are vital in preventing legal oversights. “A single clause in a Bill can have far-reaching effects. Public participation helps us catch potential gaps before a law is passed,” he said.
Hon. (Dr.) John Ariko urged civic groups and experts to educate the public on proposed legislation to counter falsehoods.
“Many issues are taken out of context, leading to unnecessary panic. Stakeholders must go public with facts to curb misinformation,” he said.
The engagement saw spirited debate on the GOE Bill. Ms. Margaret Mutinda of Ichiban Advisory warned it could duplicate existing State Corporations structures and lead to inefficiency.
However, Hon. Mboni defended the proposal, saying it aims to make commercial state enterprises self-sustaining and shield them from political interference.
WeCare, a community organisation from Kisumu West, called for inclusivity in GOE governance, proposing representation for women, youth, persons with disabilities and civil society, as well as public disclosure of performance reports.
The Committee will now review all submissions and compile a final report for Parliament.
The renewed call for public engagement comes amid backlash over the controversial Cybercrime (Amendment) Bill, recently signed into law by President William Ruto, which has drawn criticism online.
The president defended his decision, saying the law is necessary to protect the country’s moral fabric and curb the spread of violent religious extremism, urging Kenyans to “interact with correct information and avoid sensationalism.”
