President William Ruto has called on Parliament to give thorough consideration to the revised Conflict of Interest Bill 2025, emphasizing the importance of accountability and integrity among public officials. Speaking during an Easter Sunday service at Ntulele in Narok County, the President highlighted the bill’s intention to tackle the longstanding issue of public officials placing personal interests above the common good.
The Head of State revealed that he had returned the bill to Parliament for further review, urging both the National Assembly and the Senate to collaborate in refining it to ensure it effectively addresses conflicts of interest that undermine service delivery.
“I want to ask the Parliament both the National Assembly and the Senate to carefully consider the memorandum I have sent to them, to ensure we stop conflicts of interest that undermine the delivery and provision of public service in the Republic of Kenya,” Ruto said.
He stressed that the proposed legislation will apply to all public officers, from the President down to Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), underlining a comprehensive approach to clean governance. The President also called on religious leaders to pray for the government’s commitment to transparency and to help guide the implementation of its development agenda in accordance with constitutional and divine principles.
Earlier in the week, while presiding over the swearing-in of new Cabinet and Principal Secretaries at State House, Ruto reaffirmed his position, stating that corruption often stems from unresolved conflicts of interest among public servants.
“I have just referred back to Parliament the Conflict-of-Interest Bill. We must craft a law that helps us manage and eliminate corruption resulting from public officials serving their own interests,” he said.
Ruto warned that he would reject any version of the bill that does not meet high standards of accountability, transparency, and anti-corruption safeguards. The bill proposes strict penalties for government officials who exploit their positions for personal gain and mandates a clear separation between public duty and private interest.
This renewed push comes after months of frustration, with the President previously accusing lawmakers of dragging their feet and sabotaging efforts to fight corruption.
