The Kenyan government has introduced the Conflict-of-Interest Regulations, 2026, which impose stricter controls on public officers to enhance integrity and reduce corruption risks.
Key measures include:
- Disclosure Requirements: Public officers must declare any private interests that may affect their official duties and disclose gifts received by themselves or relatives.
- Restrictions on Side Employment: Officers seeking additional employment must obtain written permission from their reporting authority, which must respond within 14 days. Employment during official hours, full-time roles elsewhere, or work involving entities contracting with the public institution is prohibited.
- Gift Limitations: Public officers may not accept gifts exceeding KSh 20,000 in value and cannot receive gifts from the same donor more than twice per financial year. Gifts outside exempted categories become government property and must be surrendered.
- Conflict of Interest Management: Officers must declare conflicts before meetings and recuse themselves from related decisions. Entities are required to keep publicly accessible registers of conflicts.
- Enhanced Oversight: Wealth declarations will be verified against multiple sources, with unexplained wealth cases referred for investigation. The public can request access to these declarations under certain conditions.
- Whistleblower Protections and Reporting: Complaints about conflicts can be submitted anonymously or through various channels, with safeguards against victimization and powers to summon witnesses.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in fines up to KSh 20,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both. Disciplinary actions range from warnings to dismissal, including asset recovery and suspension during investigations.
These regulations operationalize the Conflict-of-Interest Act, 2025, aiming to foster transparency and accountability within Kenya's public service.
