President Uhuru Kenyatta at Bomas on October 31. [Photo: PSCU]
The controversial Election Amendment Bill (2017) has now become law after being gazetted by the government.
This after the constitutional 14 days period for bills ended.
President Uhuru Kenyatta did not assent or reject it after it was forwarded to him by Parliament.
Constitutionally, if the President fails to assent to a bill, but refuse to send it back to parliament, then it becomes a law.
The bill which was passed by the majority Jubilee coalition in both the senate and the parliament caused a storm among the Opposition and to a section of diplomats.
Jubilee had been accused of changing the rules of the game during halftime as it was just before the repeat presidential poll.
It was gazetted on Thursday, November 2.
During President Uhuru Kenyatta’s acceptance speech after he was declared winner of the repeat presidential poll on October 31 at the Bomas of Kenya, Kenyatta said that he had agreed with those opposed to the bill.
“When the Bill was brought to me for signature, I was compelled by my conscience to go back to the origins of law. If an Act of Parliament is a direct expression of the will of the people, were the people happy with this law?” asked President Kenyatta.
“Some, including some in this room argued that I was changing the rules of the game halfway through the game, other argues that to change election laws ahead of the October 26 poll was to advantage myself. I listened to these voices and did not sign the law,” Uhuru added.
Did the President say this knowing that after all, despite not signing, would this become law?