SPECIAL ISSUE

Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 200 (Acts No. 45)

REPUBLIC OF KENYA

KENYA GAZETTE SUPPLEMENT

ACTS, 2012

NAIROBI, 14th December, 2012

CONTENT

Act—
PAGE

The Treaty Making and Ratification Act, 2012 1921

!NATIONAL COUNa FOR LAW REPORTNG

RECEVED
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PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY THE GOVERNMENT PRINTER, NAIROBI

 1921

THE TREATY MAKING AND RATIFICATION ACT

No. 45 of 2012

Date of Assent: 13th December, 2012

Date of Commencement: 14th December, 2012

ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section
PART 1— PRELIMINARY

1—Short title.
2— Interpretation.
3— Application.

PART II – INITIATION AND NEGOTIATION OF TREATIES

4— General responsibility for treaty initiation.

5—Initiation of treaty making process.
6—Values and principles in negotiating treaties.

PART III – RATIFICATION OF TREATIES

7— Approval by Cabinet.
8— Consideration by Parliament.
9— Approval for ratification.
10—Ratification of treaty.
11—Grant of full powers.
12—Offence to ratify without approval.

PART IV-REGISTRY OF TREATIES

13—Registry of Treaties.
14—Registrar.

PART IV-GENERAL PROVISIONS

15—Public awareness.
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No. 45 Treaty Making and Ratification 2012

16— Reporting in compliance with terms of treaties.

17— Denunciation of certain treaties.
18— Rules.

THE TREATY MAKING AND RATIFICATION ACT, 2012

AN ACT of Parliament to give effect to the provisions

of Article 2(6) of the Constitution and to
provide the procedure for the making and
ratification of treaties and connected
purposes

ENACTED by the Parliament of Kenya as follows–

PART 1 – PRELIMINARY

Short title. 1. This Act may be cited as the Treaty Making and
Ratification Act, 2012.

Interpretation. 2.(1) In this Act, unless the context otherwise

requires-

"bilateral treaty" nieans an agreement concluded

between Kenya and any other State or between Kenya
and an international organisation;

"Cabinet Secretary" means the Cabinet Secretary for

the time being responsible for matters relating to
treaties;

"full powers" means all those powers conferred, by

way of a legal document, to a person or persons
designated by a competent state authority, to represent
the State for negotiating, adopting, or authenticating the
text of a treaty, for expressing the consent of the State to
be bound by a treaty, or for accomplishing any other act
with respect of a treaty;
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2012 Treaty Making and Ratification No. 45

"international organisation" means an

intergovernmental organization;

"ratification" means the international act by which

the State signifies its consent to be bound by a treaty and
includes acceptance, approval and accession where the
treaty so provides;

"Registrar" means the Registrar of Treaties appointed

under section 14;

"Registry" means the Registry of Treaties established

by section 10;

"relevant Cabinet Secretary" means the Cabinet

Secretary for the time being responsible the subject
matter of the treaty;

"relevant State department" means the State

department responsible for the subject matter of the
treaty to be approved for ratification;

"reservation" means a unilateral statement made by

a State when signing, ratifying, accepting, approving or
acceding to a treaty, whereby it purports to exclude or to
modify the legal effect of certain provisions of the treaty
in their application to the State;

"signature" means an act whereby the State

expresses its willingness to consent to the text of a
treaty and has the effect of obligating the said State,
even though it may not be a party to the treaty, to
refrain, in good faith, from acts that would defeat the
object and purpose of the treaty;

"treaty" means an international agreement

concluded between States in written form and governed
by international law, whether embodied in a single
instrument or in two or more related instruments and
whatever its particular designation and includes a
convention.
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No. 45 Treaty Making and Ratification 2012

(2) Despite subsection (1), until after the first

elections under the Constitution, references in this Act
to the expression "Cabinet Secretary" and "State
Department" shall be construed to mean "Minister" and
"Ministry" respectively.

Application. 3.(1) This Act applies to treaties which are concluded

by Kenya after the commencement of this Act.

(2) This Act shall apply to—

(a) multilateral treaties;

(b) bilateral treaties which deal with—

(i) the security of Kenya, its sovereignty,

independence, unity or territorial
integrity;

(ii) the rights and duties of citizens of

Kenya;

(iii) the status of Kenya under international

law and the maintenance or support of
such status;

(iv) the relationship between Kenya and any

international organisation or similar
body; and

(v) the environment and natural resources.

(3) A treaty relating to the adjustment, alteration

or variation of the present position of Kenya on matters
of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity
shall be approved in a referendum in accordance with
Article 255 of the Constitution.
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2012 Treaty Making and Ratification No. 45
(4) Notwithstanding subsection (2)(b), the
Government may enter into bilateral agreements —

(a) necessary for matters relating to

government business; or

(b) relating to technical, administrative or

executive matters.

PART II — INITIATION AND NEGOTIATION OF

TREATIES

4. (1) Subject to the provisions of this Act, the General

responsibility
national executive shall be responsible for initiating the for treaty
treaty making process, negotiating and ratifying treaties. initiation.

(2) The responsibility provided for in sub section

(1) may be delegated to a relevant State department.

5.(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Initiation of

treaty making
relevant national executive or the relevant State process.
department shall initiate the treaty making process in
such manner as may be prescribed by the Cabinet
Secretary.

(2) When deciding whether to initiate the treaty-

making process or not, the national executive or the
relevant State department shall consider the following -

(a) the need that the new treaty is to meet;

(b) the existing legal regime, including the extent

of its applicability to the perceived problem;

(c) the probability of reaching the required

measure of agreement on the solution aimed
for;

(d) any relevant legislative efforts related to the

perceived problem;
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No. 45 Treaty Making and Ratification 2012
(e) the optimal form for the proposed treaty;

(f) the likelihood that the proposed treaty shall be

accepted by a sufficient number of states,
where the treaty is multilateral;

(g) the anticipated time schedule for completing

the treaty-making process;

(h) the expected costs of formulating and adopting

the treaty to Kenya;

(i) in formulating treaties relating to technical or

scientific problems; whether extensive
scientific studies or research have been carried
out to determine the parameters of the problem
and the lines of potential solutions.

(3) The national executive or the relevant State

department shall record whether the conditions in
subsection (2) are met, and shall present a proposal to
commence treaty-making for approval by the Cabinet.

(4) The Cabinet shall consider and approve or

disapprove a proposal for treaty making presented in
accordance with sub section (3) within a reasonable
time.

Values and 6.(1) In negotiating treaties, the national executive or

principles in
negotiating the relevant State department shall be bound by the
treaties. values and principles of the Constitution; and shall take
into account the regulatory impact of any proposed
treaty.

(2) When appointing persons to negotiate a treaty,

the national executive or the relevant State department
shall appoint persons who are competent to undertake
such negotiations in the interest of the people of Kenya.
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PART HI — RATIFICATION OF TREATIES

7. Where the Government intends to ratify a treaty, Approval by

the Cabinet Secretary of the relevant State department Cabinet.
shall, in consultation with the Attorney-General, submit
to the Cabinet the treaty, together with a memorandum
outlining —

(a) the objects and subject matter of the treaty;

(b) any constitutional implications including —

(i) any proposed amendment to the

Constitution; and

(ii) that the treaty is consistent with the

Constitution and promotes constitutional
values and objectives;

(c) the national interests which may be affected by

the ratification of the treaty;

(d) obligations imposed on Kenya by the treaty;

requirements for implementation of the treaty;

policy and legislative considerations;

financial implications;

ministerial responsibility;

implications on matters relating to counties;

the summary of the process leading to the

adoption of the treaty:

the date of signature;

the number of states that are party to the treaty;

the views of the public on the ratification of the

treaty;
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(n) whether the treaty sought to be ratified permits
reservations and any recommendations on
reservations and declarations;

(o) the proposed text of any reservations that should

be entered when ratifying the treaty in order to
protect or advance national interests or ensure
conformity with the Constitution; and

(p) whether expenditure of public funds will be

incurred in implementing the treaty and an
estimate, where possible, of the expenditure.

Consideration 8.(1)Where the Cabinet approves the ratification of a

by Parliament.
treaty, the Cabinet Secretary shall submit the treaty and
a memorandum on the treaty to the Speaker of the
National Assembly.

(2) A treaty approved for ratification by the

Cabinet under section 7 shall, depending on its subject
matter, be considered by both or the relevant House of
Parliament paying due regard to Part 1 and Part 2 of
Chapter Eight of the Constitution.

(3) The relevant parliamentary committee shall,

during its consideration of the Treaty, ensure public
participation in the ratification process in accordance
with laid down parliamentary procedures.

(4) Parliament may approve the ratification of a

treaty with or without reservations to specific provisions
of the treaty.

(5) A proposed reservation shall be introduced as a

provision into the treaty in accordance with the
procedure set out in the Standing Orders.

(6) Where one House approves the ratification of a

treaty and the other House refuses to approve the
ratification of a treaty, the treaty shall be referred to the
mediation committee in accordance with Article 112 of
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2012 Treaty Making and Ratification No. 45
the Constitution.

(7) Where the both Houses refuse to approve the

ratification of a treaty, the Speakers of the two Houses
shall submit their decision to the relevant Cabinet
Secretary within fourteen days of the decision.

(8) Nothing in this Act precludes the resubmission

of a treaty to National Assembly and where applicable
the Senate, where approval for the ratification of the
treaty had been refused.

(9) Parliament shall not approve the ratification of a

treaty or part of it if its provisions are contrary to
Constitution, nor shall the House approve a reservation to
a treaty or part of it if that reservation negates any of the
provisions of the Constitution even if the reservation is
permitted under the relevant treaty.

9.(1) Where the ratification of a treaty referred to in Approval for

ratification.
section 7 is approved by Parliament without any
reservations to the treaty, the relevant Cabinet Secretary
shall, within thirty days from the date of the approval of
the ratification of treaty request the Cabinet Secretary to
prepare the instrument of ratification of the treaty.

(2) Where a treaty referred to in section 7 is

approved for ratification with reservations to some
provisions of the treaty, the treaty shall be ratified with
those reservations to the corresponding article in the
treaty.

(3) Where Parliament refuses to approve the

ratification of the treaty referred to in section 7, the
Government shall not ratify the treaty.

10. (1) All instruments of ratification of a treaty shall Ratification of

be signed, sealed and deposited by the Cabinet Secretary Treaty.
at the requisite international body and a copy thereof
shall be filed with the Registrar.
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No. 45 Treaty Making and Ratification 2012
(2) Where a treaty ratified under this Act is
subsequently amended or modified, the amendment or
modifictaion shall be ratified only after compliance with
the procedure set out in this Part.

(3) The provisions of subsection (2) shall apply

similarly to protocols signed under a treaty.

Granting of full 11. The Cabinet Secretary may grant full powers to
powers.
such persons as may be appropriate for the purposes of
ratification of any treaty in accordance with this Act.

Offence to ratify 12. (1) A person shall not ratify any treaty on behalf
without
approval. of the Government of Kenya unless the treaty has been
considered and approved by the Cabinet and Parliament
in accordance with this Part.

(2) A person who contravenes subsection (1)

commits an offence and shall be liable to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding fifteen years or to a fine not
exceeding twenty million shillings or to both such fine
or imprisonment.

PART IV-REGISTRY OF TREATIES

Registry of 13. (1) There shall be a Registry of Treaties which

Treaties.
shall be a department within the State Department
responsible for matters relating to treaties.

(2) The Registry shall —

(a) be the depository of all treaties to which

Kenya is a party;

(b) contain a record of all treaties in such manner

as may be prescribed;

(c) contain the status of all treaties pending

ratification or domestication and the
timelines for such ratification or
domestication;
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2012 Treaty Making and Ratification No. 45
(d) perform such other function as may be
assigned to it by the Cabinet Secretary.

14.(1) The Registry shall be headed by the Registrar Registrar .

of Treaties who shall be appointed by the Cabinet
Secretary through on open and competitive process, with
the approval of the Public Service Commission.

(2) The office of the Registrar shall be an office in

the public service.

(3) A person shall be. qualified to be appointed as

Registrar if such person has —

(a) at least a degree in law from a university

recognised in Kenya; and

(b) at least seven years experience in the practice

of law or international relations;

(4) The Registrar shall—

(a) maintain a record of—

(i) the treaties to which Kenya is a

signatory;

(ii) the treaties proposed for ratification by

Kenya;

(iii) the treaties that Kenya has ratified;

(iv) Kenya's reports to any treaty body;

(v) the recommendations and concluding

observations from any treaty body on
Kenya's reports;

(b) monitor the implementation of the treaties

ratified by Kenya;
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No. 45 Treaty Making and Ratification 2012
(c) inform lead State departments to observe and
uphold the obligations of the respective lead
state department under the respective treaties;

(d) advise any citizen of Kenya on the rights and

obligations of Kenya under a treaty;

(e) maintain a website of the treaties to which

Kenya is a signatory;

(f) keep copies of the published reports of

proceedings of the negotiations that led to
the adoption of the treaties ratified by
Kenya;

(g) facilitate public access to treaties which

Kenya has ratified;

(h) respond to public inquiries on any treaty

ratified by Kenya; and

(i) perform such other functions as may be

prescribed by the Cabinet Secretary.

PART IV-GENERAL PROVISIONS

Public 15. (1) The Cabinet Secretary shall cause to be laid

awareness.
before the National Assembly, at least once every
financial year, a report containing records of all treaties
which Kenya has ratified and which may in any way
bind Kenya to specific actions.

(2) The Cabinet Secretary shall, through publication

in at least two newspapers of nationwide circulation,
notify the public of every treaty, which may in any way
bind, or to which Kenya is a party.

(3) The relevant State Department in respect of each

treaty shall take measures to inform and create
awareness to the public about the effects and benefits of
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2012 Treaty Making and Ratification No. 45
the treaty.

16. Where a treaty provides for the submission of Reporting in

compliance with
periodic reports as part of its monitoring mechanisms terms of
the Cabinet Secretary shall, in conjunction with the treaties.
Attorney-General and the relevant State Department
facilitate the preparation and submission of such report
within the prescribed period.

17.(1) Where Kenya wishes withdraw from a Denunciation of

certain treaties.
treaty, the relevant Cabinet Secretary shall prepare a
cabinet memorandum indicating the reasons for such an
intention.

(2) The provisions of sections 4, 5 and 6 shall apply

with necessary modifications, to withdrawal from a
treaty.

18. (1) The Cabinet Secretary may make Rules for Rules.
giving effect to this Act.

(2) Without limiting the generality of subsection (1)

the Cabinet Secretary may make Rules -

(a) prescribing anything that needs to be

prescribed under this Act;

(b) for the granting of full powers in other

areas in addition to the one specified
under section 8;

(c) providing for the administrative steps to

be taken prior to the preparation of the
cabinet memorandum for cabinet
approval of a treaty under this Act ;

(d) the dissemination of information under

this Act.