Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa has accused President William Ruto of violating the Constitution after signing into law several Bills that, he says, never reached the Senate for debate or approval.
In a statement shared with the media on Thursday, the senator expressed shock and disappointment, describing the move as “a gross violation of the Constitution and a betrayal of the spirit of devolution.”
According to Karungo, the Senate which represents and protects the interests of counties — was unlawfully bypassed, undermining the principle of shared lawmaking between the two Houses of Parliament.
“This is not just a procedural mistake; it is an assault on devolution itself,” he said. “The Constitution is clear — no Bill that affects counties should become law without the Senate’s input.”
The senator listed seven Bills, including the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, the Privatisation Bill, and the National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, which he claims were assented to without Senate involvement.
What angered him even more, he said, was the timing — President Ruto’s decision to sign the Bills on October 15, the very day Kenya was mourning the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a man remembered for his lifelong fight for democracy.
“It was a cynical move — sneaking in these assents like a thief in the night, yet in broad daylight, as the nation grieved a hero who stood for justice,” Karungo said.
The senator has now called on the Senate leadership to move to court for an advisory opinion from the Supreme Court on the legality of the laws, citing Articles 110, 111, 112, and 163 of the Constitution.
He also appealed to the Council of Governors, civil society, and young Kenyans (Gen Z) to remain vigilant and resist what he termed as “creeping authoritarianism.”
“This is not about politics or personalities. The Constitution belongs to the people — not to Ruto, not to Parliament, not to the Executive,” he said. “We must defend it before it’s too late.”
The senator listed seven Bills, including the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Bill, the Privatisation Bill, and the National Land Commission (Amendment) Bill, which he claims were assented to without Senate involvement.
What angered him even more, he said, was the timing — President Ruto’s decision to sign the Bills on October 15, the very day Kenya was mourning the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, a man remembered for his lifelong fight for democracy.
“It was a cynical move — sneaking in these assents like a thief in the night, yet in broad daylight, as the nation grieved a hero who stood for justice,” Karungo said.
The senator has now called on the Senate leadership to move to court for an advisory opinion from the Supreme Court on the legality of the laws, citing Articles 110, 111, 112, and 163 of the Constitution.
He also appealed to the Council of Governors, civil society, and young Kenyans (Gen Z) to remain vigilant and resist what he termed as “creeping authoritarianism.”
“This is not about politics or personalities. The Constitution belongs to the people — not to Ruto, not to Parliament, not to the Executive,” he said. “We must defend it before it’s too late.”
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