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Muturi slams Ruto after signing Conflict of Interest Act into Law
31st July, 2025 10:19 PM
Former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi has sharply criticised President William Ruto following the signing of the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, into law.
Taking to his official X account on Thursday, July 31, 2025, Muturi argued that corruption in Kenya stems not from a lack of legislation but from the failure of political will at the highest levels.
He remarked that with the signing of the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025, into law, the country had added yet another piece of anti‑corruption legislation, but laws alone had never been the root problem.
Muturi emphasised that what the country needed were integrity, accountability, and leadership by example, stressing that no law, regardless of its wording, would save the country from decay without those foundational qualities.
“WE HAVE NO SHORTAGE OF LAWS. WHAT WE LACK IS SINCERITY AND POLITICAL GOODWILL. The signing of the Conflict of Interest Bill Act 2025 into law is yet another addition to an already full shelf of anti-corruption legislation in Kenya. But laws alone have never been the problem,” Muturi said.
In addition, the former CS maintained that if corruption was to be meaningfully confronted, it must start from the very top, including State House, adding that the issue was not simply about having institutions or frameworks but rather about the integrity of those entrusted with power.
He expressed concern that many agencies mandated to fight corruption were themselves ensnared in the very vice they were meant to uproot.
“We must be honest with ourselves: fish rots from the head. If corruption is to be confronted meaningfully, it must start from the very top, State House included. It is not just about institutions and frameworks; it’s about the integrity of those entrusted with power,” he added.
“Sadly, many of the agencies mandated to fight corruption are themselves caught in the web of the very vice they are meant to uproot.”
“We must return to the basics: integrity, accountability, and leadership by example. Without that, no law, however well-written, will save this country from the rot,”he added.
Conflict of interest bill
Muturi’s criticism comes after Ruto assented to the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023, and the Social Protection Bill, 2025, on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.
During the signing, Ruto said that the new legislation also gives Kenyans the opportunity to hold public officers accountable in their exercise of power.
“This is a very consequential moment in Kenya. We are making it much more difficult for people to take advantage of the offices they occupy,” Ruto said.
“To the EACC, you now have levers to make sure that you protect the resources of the Republic of Kenya and hold every officer to account.”
