Ask a lawyer:
If an the president refuses to sign a bill does it automatically become a law
No, if the President of Kenya refuses to sign a bill, it does not automatically become law.
The Kenyan Constitution outlines the process for enacting legislation, and the President's role in this process is crucial. Article 115 of the Constitution states that every bill passed by Parliament requires presidential assent for it to become law.
The President has two options when a bill is presented to them:
Assent to the Bill: The President can sign the bill, signifying their approval and making it law.
Refer the Bill Back to Parliament: The President can choose to refer the bill back to Parliament for reconsideration. This is usually done if the President has reservations about the bill's content or believes it needs further amendments.
If the President does not sign the bill within 14 days of receiving it, the bill is deemed to have been assented to and becomes law. However, this only applies if Parliament is in session. If Parliament is not in session, the President can choose to take no action on the bill, effectively "pocketing" it. In this case, the bill does not become law.
Therefore, the President's refusal to sign a bill does not automatically make it law. The bill either needs to be assented to by the President or referred back to Parliament for further consideration.
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Answered by mwakili.com