27 Tax, Money and Business Laws William Ruto Signed in 2024
Public participation played a pivotal role in the legislative process, with inadequate engagement leading to court challenges in 2024
The Supreme Court overturned a landmark ruling by the Court of Appeal that had declared the Finance Act 2023 unconstitutional
Significant bills signed into law in 2024 included the Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, Business Laws (Amendment) Act, and Affordable Housing Act, among others
Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, has more than three years of financial, business, and technology research and reporting expertise, providing insights into Kenyan and global trends.
Kenya?s legislative agenda has been turbulent in 2024, marked by heated debates, public backlash, and significant shifts in the country?s socioeconomic policies.
President William Ruto during a past meeting and picture of a KRA banner. Photo: William Ruto/@KRACorporate.
Source: Twitter
Both Parliament and President William Ruto?s administration have grappled with navigating complex legislative proposals amidst heightened public scrutiny following the ill-fated Finance Bill 2024, which became one of the most contentious pieces of legislation.
Despite the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, the parliament has passed several bills that the president signed in an attempt to align Kenya?s tax policies with the government's targets. However, the reaction to the 2024 legislative agenda highlighted the widening gap between government policy and citizen expectations.
These acts increased various taxes, including excise duties and adjustments to income tax brackets.
Public participation in legislation
Notably, public engagement was a big consideration in the legislation processes in 2024, and the lack of it saw various litigants in court.
Consequently, the courts struck down various bills on constitutional grounds, including a landmark decision by the Court of Appeal, which declared the Finance Act 2023 to be unconstitutional. The Supreme Court later overturned the ruling.
Legislations signed in 2024
Below is a list of the legislation that have been signed into law in 2024 and the date the law took effect:
Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024 - Act No. 12 of 2024 - December 27, 2024 Tax Procedures (Amendment) Act, 2024 - Act No. 21 of 2024 - December 27, 2024 Business Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024 - Act No. 20 of 2024 - December 13, 2024 Agriculture and Food Authority Act - Cap. 317 - November 21, 2024 Sugar Act - Act No. 11 of 2024 - November 7, 2024 National Youth Service Act - Cap. 208 - September 3, 2024 County Licensing (Uniform Procedures) Act - Act No. 8 of 2024 - June 28, 2024 Occupational Safety and Health (First Aid in the Workplace) Regulations - Act No. 79 of 2024 - June 7, 2024 National Government Co-ordination Act - Cap. 127 - May 17, 2024 National Government Administration Laws (Amendment Act) - Act No. 4 of 2024 - May 3, 2024 Civil Aviation Act - Cap. 394 - April 26, 2024 Employment Act - Cap. 226 - April 26, 2024 Industrial Training Act - Cap. 237 - April 26, 2024 Privatisation Act - Act No. 11 of 2023 - April 26, 2024 Public Finance Management Act - Cap. 412A - April 26, 2024 Public Holidays Act - Cap. 110 - April 26, 2024 Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, 2024 - Act No. 3 of 2024 - April 26, 2024 Traffic Act - Cap. 403 - April 26, 2024 Trustees (Perpetual Succession) Act - Cap. 164 - April 26, 2024 Universities Act - Cap. 210 - April 26, 2024 Value Added Tax Act - Cap. 476 - April 26, 2024 Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Para-Professionals Act - Cap. 366 - April 26, 2024 Affordable Housing Act - Act No. 2 of 2024 - March 22, 2024 Income Tax Act - Cap. 470 - March 22, 2024 Kenya Revenue Authority Act - Cap. 469 - March 22, 2024 County Governments Additional Allocations Act - Act No. 1 of 2024 - March 5, 2024 National Lottery Act - Act No. 20 of 2023 - January 12, 2024
Source: TUKO.co.ke
