By LYNETTE MUKAMI, lmukami@ke.nationmedia.com
In Summary
President Uhuru Kenyatta has assented to seven Bills
Friday, among them the Bribery Bill 2016 passed by legislators in
December which prescribes severe penalties for public and private sector
bribery.
Tabled by Leader of Majority Aden Duale in April, the Act
reprimands those convicted of bribery with a Sh5 million fine or 10
years in jail alongside other punitive measures.
The new law, which extends the graft fight to
Kenya's private sector, also provides for certain requirements
businesses must have in place to prevent the vice.
The Bribery Act 2016 also legally obligates every
Kenyan that is aware of an act of corruption to report to the anti-graft
watchdog.
Other Bills signed into law include the Witness
Protection (Amendment) Bill 2016, Competition (Amendment) Bill 2016,
Contempt of Court Bill 2016, Universities (Amendment) Bill 2015,
Insurance (Amendment) Bill 2016 and the Kenya Defence Forces (Amendment)
Bill 2015.
Target cartels
The Competition (Amendment) Act 2016 empowers the
Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) to impose fines on and penalise
industry associations that operate like cartels. It also includes trade
associations, individuals, companies and trusts under the CAK's mandate.
The new law is also expected to shake up some
industries, especially powerful trade bodies in the financial and
agricultural sectors that have been accused of frustrating efforts to
regulate their undertakings.
The CAK has in the past called for the disbandment
of the Kenya Bankers Association and the Cereal Millers Association,
arguing that they colluded to set market prices.
The Universities (Amendment) Act 2015 now allows
the Commission for University Education (CUE) to accredit universities
and approve university programmes. It also allows the president to
revoke a university’s charter despite getting the nod from the
regulator.
Deputy President William Ruto and National Assembly
Speaker Justin Muturi witnessed the signing of the Bills by Mr Kenyatta
at State House Nairobi on Friday.
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