Senate extends time for review of Conflict of Interest Bill by 45 days

The Senate has extended the time for the consideration of the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2025, by a further 45 days following the lapse of the initial 14-day period allocated to the Justice Committee.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi said the extension will allow the committee to thoroughly review and address the reservations raised by President William Ruto, who referred the Bill back to Parliament for reconsideration.

Speaker Kingi explained that the Bill had been passed by Parliament on April 8, 2025, but was returned to the legislature by the President on April 30, 2025, in accordance with Article 115(1)(b) of the Constitution.

“Further aware that the President had reservations and referred back the Bill to Parliament on the 30th of April 2025, pursuant to Article 115(1)(b) of the Constitution for reconsideration. Pursuant to Standing Order 171, the Speaker referred the President’s memorandum of reservations to the Senate Standing Committee on Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights on Tuesday, May 6, 2025,” Kingi said.

“Recognising that, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 172, the 14 days given to the Committee to consider and lay its report lapses on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, which is today, now therefore, notwithstanding the provisions of Standing Order 172, the Senate has resolved to extend the time for the consideration of the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2025, by a further 45 days.”

He said the new deadline will enable the committee to consider the President’s reservations and submit its report to the Senate on or before Tuesday, July 8, 2025.

President William Ruto has made clear his strong stance on the Bill, which is a critical component of his administration’s anti-corruption agenda. Speaking at the State House during the swearing-in ceremony of new cabinet and principal secretaries on April 17, Ruto confirmed he had returned the Bill to Parliament.

“I say that in the context that this morning, I have just referred back to Parliament the Conflict-of-Interest Bill. We get a piece of law that helps us manage and eliminate, eventually, matters of corruption that in many cases come as a result of the conflict of interest of public officials who serve not the public but their own interests,” he said.

He emphasised the need for stronger legal safeguards to promote integrity and accountability within public service.

While acknowledging that the Bill largely addressed conflict of interest, Ruto said more needed to be done to strengthen its provisions on transparency and enforcement to align with constitutional principles of good governance.

The Head of State reiterated his commitment to ensuring the Bill meets the highest standards of integrity, warning Parliament that he would veto any version that fell short.

“I implore you, Honourable Members, that you must stop dragging your feet and stop sabotaging the passage of the Conflict of Interest Bill,” Ruto said during a past State of the Nation address.

“I have engaged with parliamentary leadership, and I urge Parliament to swiftly pass the Conflict of Interest Bill. I am told that there is a mediation process going on in Parliament, but I have told them with clarity that I will veto any Bill that doesn’t establish a high standard of accountability and integrity.”

The Conflict of Interest Bill, 2025, seeks to deter public officials from exploiting their positions to influence others for personal gain. It introduces tough penalties for those found conducting state business for self-enrichment and includes critical clauses aimed at enforcing a strict separation between public duties and private interests.

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