Legislative Drafting

The functions of the Legislative Drafting Division are primarily drawn from Article 156 of the Constitution that is mandated to draft legislative drafting proposals for the Government and advising the Government and its agencies on legislative and other legal matters.

The Division also provides services to County Governments. This is drawn from Section 5 of the County Governments Act, 2012 which provides that in the development or reform of county legislation, county governments may seek assistance from the Kenya Law Reform Commission.

Nonetheless, as the principal legal adviser to the Government, the Office of the Attorney General and Department of Justice retains a residual oversight role over the legislative activities of county governments and has continued to provide guidance to county governments by facilitating the development of model laws for adoption by county governments.

The Division also provides legal advice (mainly on legislative matters) where requested by any county government.

SERVICE PROVISION

  • Drafting of Bills, subsidiary legislation, notices of appointments to offices in the public service, State Corporations and constitutional offices;
  • Ensuring publication of Acts of Parliament and subsidiary legislation in the Kenya Gazette;
  • Ensuring revision of laws under the Revision of Laws Act (Cap 1);
  • Advising Government Ministries/Departments and State Corporations on legislative and other legal matters;
  • Attending to passage of Bills in Parliament; and,
  • Assisting in the preparation of vellum copies of Bills for assent by the President.

CORE FUNCTIONS

  • Draft Bills for introduction into the National Assembly/Senate;
  • Draft prioritized Bills for the implementation on the Constitution;
  • Draft subsidiary legislation;
  • Prepare Acts of Parliament and subsidiary legislation for publication;
  • Communicate legal advice upon receipt of information and documentation from client;
  • Participate in preparation of National Budget (Finance Bill);
  • Participate in law reform exercises initiated by the Attorney General or by other Ministries and draft the requisite legislation as and when required;
  • Monitor and track Bills before Parliament or county assembles and bring them to the attention of the Attorney General for review, legal advice or contribution, as the case may be;
  • Prepare advisory opinions on the propriety or otherwise of Bills for assent;
  • Participate in the  reparation of legislation and other legal instruments for the East African Community;
  • Guide and assist the National Council for Law Reporting in carrying out law revision on behalf of the Attorney General; and,
  • Provide support to the Kenya Law Reform Commission in the development of model laws for adoption by county governments.