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Mombasa, December 30 , 2006

Press Statement

President Mwai Kibaki has today signed into law eleven bills that will have a major positive impact on Kenya's social and economic sphere. The President signed the bills at a ceremony at State House Mombasa and witnessed by the Attorney General Amos Wako. The bills are

1. The Microfinance Act, 2006. The Act makes provision for the licensing, regulation and supervision of microfinance business. The act will regulate an industry that has hitherto had much potential but has suffered from major legal constraints and will lead to the unlocking of billions of shillings for on lending to the common mwananchi.

2. The Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology Act, 2006. The Act provides for the establishment of a University to be known as the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology which shall be the successor to the Western University College of Science and technology established under the Western University college of Science and Technology order 2002.

3. The Banking Amendment Act, 2006. Among the provisions of the act is that no institution licensed as a bank shall appoint or elect a director or senior officer unless the Central Bank of Kenya has certified the person as fit and proper to manage or control the institution and that the Central Bank shall vet any person who becomes a significant shareholder of a bank.

4. The Energy Act which provides for the establishment of the Energy Regulatory Commission and the Rural Electrification Authority. The functions of the commission shall include among others regulation of the importation, exportation, generation, transmission, distribution, supply and use of electrical energy, petroleum products and other forms of energy. It shall also be charged with the responsibility of protecting the interests of consumers, investors and other stakeholders. Among the functions of the Rural Electrification Authority will be to oversee the expansion of electric power to all parts of the country with an emphasis on rural areas where a great number of Kenyans live.

5. The Witness protection Act, 2006. Under the Act the Attorney General is required to establish and maintain a witness protection program and shall take such action as he thinks necessary and reasonable to protect the safety and welfare of a witness.

6. HIV and AIDS Protection and Control Act, 2006. The act shall provide for the protection and promotion of public health and for the appropriate treatment, counseling, support and care for persons infected or at risk of HIV and AIDS infection.

7. Refugees Act, 2006 which makes provision for the recognition, protection and management of refugees.

8. Insurance (Amendment) Act,2006, which will see the establishment of the Insurance Regulatory Authority.

9. The Finance Act, 2006

10. Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis Act, 2006.

11. The Licensing Laws (Repeals and Amendment) Act,2006

Meanwhile President Mwai Kibaki has today prorogued parliament with effect from 31st December 2006. The proclamation is made under powers conferred by section 59(1) of the Constitution of Kenya.