President Ruto refers Wildlife Conservation Bill back to Parliament for reconsideration
The legislation aims to ensure that people living along water bodies are entitled to compensation for interactions with these specified wildlife species.
President William Ruto has referred back the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Amendment) Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 3 of 2023) to Parliament, citing reservations over specific provisions.
According to the official Memorandum, the Bill requires reconsideration to incorporate amendments that the President believes are critical for effective wildlife governance.
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The Bill had initially been passed by the National Assembly on June 18, 2025 and subsequently forwarded to the President for assent.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula informed Members that, acting under Article 115(1)(b) of the Constitution, the President has considered the Bill and referred it back to the House for reconsideration, expressing reservations specifically on Clause 2.
In his Memorandum, the President proposed amending Clause 2 and introducing a new provision, and has requested the House to review the Bill in line with Article 115 of the Constitution.
“The House is accordingly informed,” Wetang’ula said, reminding Members that, pursuant to Standing Order 154(2), the National Assembly is required to consider the President’s reservations within 21 days.
The Presidential Memorandum has been committed to the Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife, which has been directed to prioritise the matter and table its report as soon as possible, enabling the House to conclude deliberations within the stipulated timelines.
The Speaker added that consideration of the President’s reservations will follow Article 115 of the Constitution and align with guidance issued in his Communication of July 28, 2025, on similar matters.
The Clerk has been instructed to circulate the Presidential Memorandum to all Members to allow them to familiarise themselves with its contents.
The Bill, sponsored by Lamu East MP Captain Ruweida Mohamed Obo, seeks to amend the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, No. 47 of 2013, to include sharks, stone fish, whales, and stingrays among the wildlife species for which compensation may be paid in cases of death or injury.
The legislation aims to ensure that people living along water bodies are entitled to compensation for interactions with these specified wildlife species.
According to the Bill’s Memorandum of Objects and Reasons, its principal aim is to expand the scope of wildlife conservation and management in Kenya without delegating legislative powers, limiting fundamental rights, affecting county government functions, or incurring additional public expenditure.
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