Wamuzi News Ke
In a dramatic blow to President William Ruto’s flagship anti-corruption agenda, Kenya’s Senate has rejected several key provisions of the Conflict of Interest Bill 2023, signaling a major setback to efforts aimed at curtailing graft among public officials.
The upper house has excised critical clauses—stripping the bill of robust measures to prevent public officers and their families from entering government contracts, weakening conflict of interest definitions, and removing strict penalties for breaches. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) warned these amendments leave oversight in the hands of potentially biased internal bodies within government agencies.
Senate Sweeps Bill Clean
Senators have deleted obligations for public officers to declare private interests involving relatives, curtailed EACC’s enforcement role, and allowed MPs, governors, and CSs to pursue government contracts without sanctions. The Justice and Legal Affairs Committee strikingly dismissed Ruto’s objections, arguing the broader definitions proposed were too vague and difficult to enforce.
Transparency International-Kenya cried foul, describing the amendments as “atrocious” and warning they would legalize self-serving business by state officials. The EACC echoed this, stressing that stripping the commission’s mandate fundamentally weakens anti-corruption enforcement.
Ruto Vows to Fight Back
President Ruto has responded sternly, pledging to reject any watered-down iteration of the bill. During Easter festivities, he gave Parliament a three-week ultimatum to restore its original teeth or face a presidential veto. He later publicly accused MPs and senators of sabotaging the fight against corruption, saying that lawmakers themselves have a “conflict of interest in passing the conflict of interest legislation”.
His cabinet echoed support for his stand. Non-profit lobbyists, including the PBO Federation, commended the President for his refusal to sign off on a diminished version of the bill.
House Divided and Time Running Out
Parliament now faces a tense mediation process. The National Assembly has already rejected the Senate’s extensive amendments, with MPs condemning them as paving the way for unchecked corruption. A joint committee between the two houses must reach consensus within 30 days—or risk the entire bill expiring and having to be reintroduced after six months.
Ruto’s allies argue the delay could stall Kenya’s compliance with international partners, including IMF agreements that hinge on anti-corruption reforms.
Why It Matters Now
- Oversight power at stake: EACC’s authority has been pared back, handing enforcement to non-independent government bodies.
- Transparency rollback: The removal of asset-declaration requirements for spouses and relatives creates blind spots in tracking unexplained wealth.
- Conflict of interest loophole: High-value public contracts may soon be open to bidding by MPs, governors, and their families—without legal recourse.
Next Moves
- Presidential Veto Threat: If the bill emerges weaker, Ruto says he won’t hesitate to reject it.
- Mediation Deadline: Both houses must agree on a unified text within 30 days.
- Public Pressure: Civil society organizations are intensifying calls for robust anti-graft laws and warning Kenyans that dilution invites deeper corruption.
The Senate’s sweeping changes have set the stage for a fierce Constitutional standoff. With national elections approaching and public frustration over corruption simmering, Ruto’s showdown may determine whether Kenya’s institutional reforms hold or dissipate into political expediency.
