Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana has raised concerns over what he describes as a growing trend by the government to use private members’ bills to push controversial laws, especially those involving national surveillance.
In an interview with local media on Monday, May 26, 2025, the senator insisted that if the government wants to introduce legislation that enables spying on citizens, it should do so transparently and through formal government channels.
“If the government wants to have a law that spies on Kenyans, they can push it; they don’t need to bring it as a private member’s bill. Why would they want to hide it?” he posed.
Mungatana said such tactics create the impression that the government is avoiding accountability and evading public scrutiny on critical matters that directly affect Kenyans’ constitutional rights.
Use established channels
According to Mungatana, the government enjoys a comfortable majority in both the National Assembly and Senate, making it fully capable of introducing any bill through formal government channels.
He questioned why a government with such legislative power would opt to use private MPs to sponsor potentially controversial bills.
“This is a government with a majority in both Houses. They have no excuse to sneak laws under the radar. Let them bring bills to the floor in full view of Kenyans,” he said during a previous Senate debate.
The senator argued that transparency is a non-negotiable tenet of good governance. He warned that passing laws secretly or under disguise erodes public trust and opens the door to authoritarianism.
Land concerns over NIS campus
Mungatana’s remarks come amid recent concerns over the acquisition of community land in Tana River and Garissa counties for the development of a new National Intelligence Service (NIS) campus.
He has called for investigations into the manner in which land was obtained without adequate consultation or compensation to residents.
“The people must be informed and involved. You can’t just show up, take land, and keep them in the dark,” he stated while addressing locals in Tana River.
He revealed that residents were caught unaware by the project, and many fear being displaced without any formal communication or legal procedures followed.
Defending civil liberties and due process
The senator’s comments come at a time when Kenyans have become increasingly vocal about the shrinking democratic space and growing surveillance fears.
Mungatana has positioned himself as a key voice defending public participation, the rule of law, and the protection of civil liberties.
He urged fellow lawmakers, the media, and civil society to be vigilant and question any move by the executive that sidesteps the democratic process.
