New Conflict Of Interest Act Comes Into Force

The Conflict of Interest Act, 2025 officially came into force on August 19, 2025, marking a major shift in how public officials in Kenya will be monitored and held accountable.

In a statement released Tuesday, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) confirmed that the law, which was assented to by President William Ruto on July 30, 2025, has now commenced.

The new Act repeals the Public Officer Ethics Act, 2003 and introduces stricter rules for managing conflict of interest and the mandatory Declaration of Income, Assets and Liabilities (DIALs) for state officers and public servants.

EACC has been mandated to oversee and enforce the new Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, which introduces severe penalties for public officers found in violation.

Unlike the previous Public Officer Ethics Act, which only prohibited conflict of interest without strong consequences, the new law makes such violations a criminal offence.

Under the Act, individual offenders now face fines of up to Sh4 million, imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both. The law also imposes a mandatory penalty equal to twice the amount of any benefit obtained through the violation. Companies or corporate bodies involved in such misconduct can face fines of up to Sh10 million.

The Act establishes a structured system for monitoring and verifying wealth declarations by public officers. It prohibits state officers from doing business with the same government entities they serve and bars them from holding shares or interests in companies that have contracts with public institutions or receive public benefits. Public officials are also required to declare any situation that may create a conflict between their private interests and public duties.

To reinforce accountability, the EACC noted, “To enhance transparency and accountability, the law requires serving state and public officers to continuously make declarations on all circumstances that may amount to a conflict between their private engagements and public duty.”

Under the new rules, public officers are now required to declare their income, assets and liabilities within 30 days of joining public service, every two years while in office, and within 30 days after exiting public service.

The EACC has hailed the implementation of this new law as a major milestone in the fight against corruption. In its official statement, the Commission stated: “This law marks a major milestone in the fight against corruption and unethical practices in Kenya.”