Mombasa: National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetang’ula, has cautioned against the deliberate spread of misinformation on proposed legislations, warning that it is undermining public understanding of Parliamentary proceedings. Speaking during the 8th Annual Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) Speaker’s Roundtable with the National Assembly in Mombasa, Wetang’ula highlighted incidents involving the newly enacted Cybercrime and Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act, illustrating how false information can mislead citizens, including Members of Parliament themselves.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Speaker disclosed that a young legislator had circulated a fake version of the Cybercrime Bill on social media, denouncing it despite having voted for the authentic legislation in Parliament. Wetang’ula recounted, ‘After passing what is now known as the Cyber-crimes Law, I sat with my own members. On one of the walls of Parliament, there is a young MP who rarely attends sittings, who was circulating a fake Bill and denouncing it. He is a Member of Parliament. He posted it, denounced it, and as far as I am concerned, none voted against it. He was even praising those who had gone to court.’
The Speaker also criticized the misuse of Court Injunctions to halt government actions, noting that some judges issue conservatory orders against non-existent sections of law, without properly serving relevant state agencies. He expressed concerns, stating, ‘Injunctions are not cakes to be dished to everyone carrying a plate. They are a last resort in litigation. If someone goes to court and declares a law unconstitutional, Parliament, Treasury, and the Attorney General’s Office, are all within reach-serve them. But you issue an injunction and keep the file for six months; we shall not move. These are some of the problems we are facing.’
Wetang’ula proposed a joint roundtable involving KEPSA, the Judiciary, and Parliament to enhance coordination and address challenges in handling legislative matters that end up in court. National Assembly Majority Leader, Kimani Ichung’wah, echoed the Speaker’s concerns, emphasizing that the Cybercrime and Computer Misuse (Amendment) Act was a crucial safeguard for businesses and financial institutions against online fraud. Ichung’wah remarked, ‘This law shields banks, telecoms, and innovators who lose millions daily to cybercriminals. Unfortunately, misinformation has distorted its intent, forcing religious leaders to defend it instead of the affected institutions.’
He urged the private sector to play a more active role in disseminating accurate information about legislation, recalling that disinformation surrounding the Finance Bill 2024 had delayed implementation of vital economic measures. Ichung’wah noted, ‘When we worked together to develop the Finance Bill 2024, the private sector disengaged after its passage. False claims spread widely, leading to six months of lost revenue and job opportunities before Parliament reintroduced the measures as four separate Bills.’
Ichung’wah reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to enacting business-friendly laws, including the Tax Procedures (Amendment) Bill and Business Laws (Amendment) Bills, to promote a fair and competitive environment for manufacturers and entrepreneurs. ‘When we craft laws together, let us also defend them together,’ he appealed. The KEPSA Speaker’s Roundtable serves as a key engagement platform bringing together legislators and private sector leaders to deliberate on economic policies and legislative reforms shaping Kenya’s business environment.