Ruto’s New Anti-Corruption Law Empowers EACC to Seize Unexplained Wealth from Public Officials

President William Ruto has signed into law sweeping anti-corruption legislation that significantly strengthens the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission’s powers to pursue unexplained wealth among public servants across all arms of government.

The Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, which received presidential assent at State House on Wednesday, consolidates all conflict of interest laws while repealing the Public Officer Ethics Act, creating what officials describe as a game-changing framework in Kenya’s fight against corruption.

Under the new legislation, the EACC now has unprecedented authority to institute forfeiture proceedings against public officers who cannot adequately explain the source of their assets. This marks a significant departure from previous laws that limited such powers and excluded senior officials in the judiciary and legislature from comprehensive wealth scrutiny.

The law mandates that all state and public officers, including previously exempt positions such as the Chief Justice, Cabinet members, and Members of County Assemblies, must file biennial declarations detailing their income, assets, and liabilities, extending these requirements to their spouses and dependents.

“We are making it much more difficult for people to take advantage of the offices they occupy,” President Ruto declared during the signing ceremony, emphasizing that the EACC now possesses the necessary tools to protect Kenya’s public resources and hold every officer accountable.

The legislation introduces stringent prohibitions against public officers awarding contracts to entities they have connections with, accepting gifts that could influence their decisions, or engaging in secondary employment that might compromise their objectivity. Violation of these provisions constitutes an offense under the new law.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki highlighted that the law closes loopholes that corrupt officials have exploited to steal from public coffers, making it considerably more difficult for them to use proxies to advance corruption schemes.

A notable feature of the new framework is the establishment of a 90-day deadline for conflict-of-interest investigations, preventing concurrent probes by different authorities and providing clear structures for citizens to lodge complaints against public officials.

The EACC’s enhanced mandate extends beyond the executive branch, encompassing all three arms of government in wealth declaration oversight. This comprehensive approach represents the most significant expansion of anti-corruption enforcement powers in Kenya’s recent history.

The law’s passage followed a complex legislative journey involving multiple rounds of consideration and mediation between the National Assembly and the Senate, with final approval achieved after accommodating presidential concerns through amendments passed in June and July 2025.

As Kenya grapples with persistent corruption challenges, this legislation signals the government’s commitment to institutional accountability and transparent governance, potentially serving as a deterrent to public officials who might consider exploiting their positions for personal gain.

The new law takes effect immediately, setting the stage for intensified scrutiny of public wealth accumulation and marking what President Ruto described as “a very consequential moment in Kenya.“