Ruto vows no interference in graft prosecutions
President William Ruto has warned that any official implicated in corruption will face prosecution without fear or favour, stressing that no political influence or external pressure will shield wrongdoers from justice.
Addressing delegates at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Ruto said his administration is committed to applying the law equally to all, regardless of rank or connections. He underscored that the fight against graft will be conducted transparently and without interference from any quarter.
You might also like
The Head of State disclosed that he has already moved to strengthen the country’s anti-corruption framework by assenting to the Conflict of Interest Bill. The legislation, signed into law a few weeks ago, he said, is designed to seal loopholes that have previously enabled public officials to exploit their positions for personal enrichment.
“I did sign into law, a few weeks ago, legislation that will fight against corruption by signing into law the Conflict of Interest Bill. I do expect that agencies charged with making sure that there is accountability in all levels of government take up their role as efficiently and effectively with accountability as the law and Constitution mandate them,” he said.
He urged relevant oversight bodies to fully embrace their constitutional mandate, insisting they must act with efficiency, effectiveness, and integrity in holding public officers accountable. According to Ruto, the new law is a critical step towards ensuring public service operates with honesty and in the best interests of Kenyans.
“I have made it clear to the Chair and CEO of EACC that there will be no sacred cow, that there will be no telephone call from anywhere, below or above, to stop anybody from being prosecuted on matters of corruption,” Ruto said.
Conflict of Interest Bill
The Conflict of Interest Act replaces the Public Officer Ethics Act and consolidates all laws on conflicts of interest into a single, robust framework. It gives the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission greater authority to enforce compliance across the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary.
The law bars public officers from granting special favours outside legal provisions, being influenced by external job offers, or conducting business with entities they regulate. It also requires all public officers, including top officials like the Chief Justice, Cabinet Secretaries and Members of County Assemblies, to declare their income, assets and liabilities every two years for themselves, their spouses and dependent children.
It introduces clear recusal rules in cases of conflict, sets strict timelines for investigations and allows the EACC to recover undeclared or unexplained assets.
The Bill was introduced in 2023 by Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and underwent lengthy debate and amendments before both Houses approved it in mid-2025. Ruto assented to it on July 30, 2025.
