President William Ruto has signed seven parliamentary bills into law, marking a significant step in advancing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). These laws, which underwent extensive public participation and multiple parliamentary readings, aim to enhance governance, taxation, infrastructure development, and regulatory processes in Kenya.
The enacted amendments include changes to the Tax Laws, Tax Procedures, Business Laws, Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Kenya Roads, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), and Statutory Instruments Acts, all of which are critical in driving economic growth and development.
The amendments to the Tax Laws and Tax Procedures Acts aim to streamline tax collection, enhance compliance, and simplify processes for businesses and individuals, reflecting BETA’s focus on inclusivity. Similarly, the Business Laws amendments are designed to improve the ease of doing business, address bureaucratic challenges, and encourage investments. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Act amendments further strengthen the agency’s mandate by modernizing operations to boost revenue collection and improve efficiency.
Infrastructure development is also a key focus, with changes to the Kenya Roads Act enhancing road maintenance and construction frameworks to support economic growth and connectivity. The amendments to the EACC Act reinforce anti-corruption efforts by improving oversight and accountability in public service, while the Statutory Instruments Act streamlines regulatory processes, promoting transparency and efficiency in drafting subsidiary legislation.
These reforms align with President Ruto’s vision of empowering grassroots communities by supporting small and medium enterprises (SMEs), promoting local industries, and creating jobs. By focusing on these critical areas, the new laws are expected to foster a more inclusive, transparent, and dynamic economic environment for all Kenyans, solidifying the government’s commitment to transformative and sustainable development. This milestone demonstrates a clear effort to deliver tangible benefits to the nation under the Bottom-Up agenda.
