President William Ruto has justified signing eight bills on the same day former Prime Minister Raila Odinga passed away.

While addressing mourners during the burial of Mzee Weston Kirocho Kanja, father to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, in Thome, Laikipia County, Ruto explained that his duty that day was to assent to bills brought to him by the Speaker.

He maintained that the bills had followed all due parliamentary procedures before being signed into law.

“Tuseme ukweli, unajua kuna watu wanatafuta kuchafua Kenya kwa mbinu zote.. ooh rais alisign.. hii sheria ilikuweko. Amendment ilianza 2024 kupitia bunge. Mimi niliamka Wednesday, na hiyo ndiyo ilikuwa kazi yangu siku hiyo. Na ilikuwa kazi ya kikatiba ya kutia sahihi,” said the President.

“Bahati mbaya, tukapoteza waziri wetu wa zamani lakini tayari nilikuwa ofisini. Hata tayari nilikuwa nimevaa shati naenda ukambani kwa mambo ya barabara. So, I was on duty just like any other citizen,” Ruto added.

He defended some of the proposals, asserting that they were intended for the good of the country and also dismissing allegations emanating from government critics, regarding the national interest served by the bills.

“Maneno ya religious extremism yenye inatuletea hasara kama ya Shakahola lazima tuzuie. Vijana wetu wanaangamizwa huko social media na mambo machafu. Mambo ya usherati. Mambo ya pornography lazima tuzuie. Wale wanatumia mitandao kueneza ugaidi, we must also stand up to them and protect Kenya,” he remarked.

“Hakuna kitu ya kuficha, ya giza, we’re doing the right thing for Kenya.”

The eight key bills signed into law by President Ruto on October 15, 2025 include, National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill, Land (Amendment) Bill, and the Privatization Bill.

Others are the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, Air Passenger Service Charge (Amendment) Bill, National Police Service Commission (Amendment) Bill and the Privatization Act and the Virtual Asset Service Providers Bill, 2025.

The Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill has however sparked criticism with a section of the public labelling it as harsh.

On Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Justice Lawrence Mugambi issued conservatory orders suspending the enforcement of key sections of the bill, pending the determination of a petition filed by gospel singer Reuben Kigame and Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), challenging its legality.