Clerk of the National Assembly Sam Njoroge has stated that fake bills threaten to 'burn the country,' even as the government and private sector formalise a groundbreaking "marriage" to drive economic policy.
The alarm was raised during the KEPSA-National Assembly roundtable under the theme "From Policy to Practice: Delivering through business and government partners."
The clerk, in his speech, addressed the malicious spread of fake bills. He revealed that shortly after President William Ruto assented to genuine new laws, counterfeit versions with fabricated clauses were circulated online, causing public panic and confusion.
One authentic law, sponsored by MP Simon King'ara, was designed to protect public land from grabbing by ensuring parcels set aside for public use are properly registered.
However, a fake version twisted its intent, falsely claiming it would impose taxes on freehold land.
“It pained us and we had no space to explain,” Njoroge lamented, adding that many people still believe the fabrication.
Similarly, a bill by Suna West MP Peter Masara aimed at providing psychosocial support for police officers was distorted in a fake version to purport that it would reduce officers' salaries.
Perhaps most notably, Njoroge highlighted the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act, 2025, which he said was "distorted" in the public domain.
“There are six entities in court on matters that were not in the bill,” he revealed. The High Court recently suspended key provisions of the newly assented cybercrime law, including sections on cyber harassment.
This was after a constitutional challenge argued that they were vague and threatened free expression.
The National Assembly clerk made a passionate plea for national unity against the threat of misinformation.
“This country belongs to all of us. And if it flips because of fake news, it will burn with all of us,” he warned.
He reaffirmed the National Assembly's commitment to the partnership with KEPSA, promising continued administrative support to deliver on the promise of collaborative governance.
The roundtable had a clear message that while the new partnership between government and business is paving the way for a more competitive and resilient economy, the progress remains vulnerable to the live threat of misinformation, demanding vigilance from all citizens.
The event further highlighted both the transformative power of collaboration and the destructive potential of misinformation targeting the legislative process.
Njoroge said it was worth noting that the country is in a new era of governance, moving from an "era of surprises to one of engagement."
He described the evolving relationship with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) as a partnership that has matured into a "marriage," emphasising a deliberate shift to integrate private sector expertise directly into lawmaking.
"This year's theme is a timely reminder that progress is achieved when ideas are transformed into deliverable impact," Njoroge told the gathering in Mombasa on Thursday.
He confirmed that sectors had met with lawmakers from key parliamentary committees, including Finance, Communication, Health, and Trade, to solidify this collaborative approach.
The partnership is already delivering tangible results, the clerk remarked. KEPSA, through its Public Finance Sector Board, has been proactively holding consultative forums with the Parliament, centrally with the Committee on Finance and National Planning to shape the Finance Bill 2025.
The efforts are aimed at developing a more 'pro-Kenyans and business-friendly bill' that aligns government revenue needs with a conducive environment for investment and growth.
