Constitution of Kenya
Part 4. Procedures for enacting legislation
115. Presidential assent and referral
Parent Category:
Chapter Eight - The Legislature
(1) Within fourteen days after receipt of a Bill, the President shall--
(a) assent to the Bill; or
(b) refer the Bill back to Parliament for reconsideration by Parliament, noting any reservations that the President has concerning the Bill.
(2) If the President refers a Bill back for reconsideration, Parliament may, following the appropriate procedures under this Part -
(a) amend the Bill in light of the President’s reservations;
or
(b) pass the Bill a second time without amendment.
(3) If Parliament amendeds the Bill fully accommodating the President’s reservations, the appropriate Speaker shall re-submit it to the President for assent.
(4) Parliament, after considering the President’s reservations, may pass the Bill a second time, without amendment, or with amendments that do not fully accommodate the President’s reservations, by a vote supported--
(a) by two-thirds of members of the National Assembly;
and
(b) two-thirds of the delegations in the Senate, if it is a Bill that requires the approval of the Senate.
(5) If Parliament has passed a Bill under clause (4)--
(a) the appropriate Speaker shall within seven days re-submit it to the President; and
(b) the President shall within seven days assent to the Bill.
(6) If the President does not assent to a Bill or refer it back within the period prescribed in clause (1), or assent to it under (5)(b), the Bill shall be taken to have been assented to on the expiry of that period.
