Kenya has ushered in a new era of accountability in public service with the start of the Conflict-of-Interest Act, 2025, which officially took effect on August 19 following President William Ruto’s assent late last month.
The fresh law overhauls the 2003 Public Officer Ethics Act, introducing tougher rules for state and public officers. At the heart of the legislation is a requirement for all officers to declare their income, assets, and liabilities (DIALs), a move aimed at closing loopholes that have long fueled corruption.
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Act streamlines conflict-of-interest rules that were previously spread across multiple statutes, while also attaching criminal penalties for violations.
Those found guilty risk fines of up to Ksh.4 million, jail terms of up to 10 years, or both. In addition, offenders will pay a mandatory penalty twice the value of the benefit gained or loss caused, while corporations can be hit with fines of up to Ksh.10 million.
Beyond punishment, the law lays out new systems for managing conflicts of interest, verifying declarations, and seizing undeclared or unexplained assets. Public officers are barred from trading with their employers or holding stakes in companies doing business with public institutions.
Under the new regime, officers must continuously disclose any potential conflict between personal interests and official duties. Declarations of income, assets, and liabilities will be filed every two years, upon entry into public service, and within 30 days of exit. Oversight commissions will be tasked with scrutinizing these filings.
EACC described the legislation as a landmark tool in the fight against corruption, pledging to roll out awareness campaigns, train institutions, and support enforcement.
“This law is a game changer in strengthening integrity within public service,” the commission said, urging all officers to study the provisions and comply fully with the new framework.
