President Ruto Signs Key Governance and Welfare Bills into Law

President William Ruto has today signed into law two landmark pieces of legislation: the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023 and the Social Protection Bill, 2025, marking a decisive step toward tightening public ethics and redefining social welfare eligibility in Kenya.

The Conflict of Interest Bill introduces stricter compliance requirements for public officers, compelling them to declare any personal, family, or business interests annually to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

The law also prohibits civil servants from using their official positions for personal gain and requires them to recuse themselves from decisions where a conflict of interest exists. Violations could attract penalties of up to KSh 5 million or a five-year jail term, aiming to close loopholes long exploited in the public sector.

Meanwhile, the Social Protection Bill, 2025 introduces a restructured framework for identifying Kenyans eligible for government social assistance. The law redefines eligibility by excluding unemployed individuals, widows, and widowers as automatic recipients of aid. Instead, it introduces two new priority groups: individuals facing economic “shocks”—such as displacement or disaster, and those living in extreme poverty.

The changes are expected to realign the government’s welfare programs with data-driven assessments of vulnerability, signaling a shift from blanket assistance to more targeted support systems.