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A non-profit organisation has lauded President William Ruto for rejecting the contentious Conflict of Interest Bill, terming it a bold step towards upholding ethical leadership and protecting public resources.
In a statement, Action for Sustainable Change (AFOSC-Kenya) welcomed the President’s decision to return the Bill to the National Assembly after opposing a clause that would have allowed spouses of public officials to conduct business with the government.
AFOSC-Kenya Executive Director Mohamed Sheikh said the rejected provision posed a serious threat to transparency, noting it would have opened the door to corruption and favoritism through backdoor dealings.
“This move signals true leadership and a commitment to protecting the public interest. The attempted weakening of the bill by the Senate would have undermined years of progress in strengthening integrity within public service,” said Sheikh.
The lobby urged Parliament to restore the original intent of the proposed law, calling for legislation that reflects the values of accountability, equity, and sustainable development.
“AFOSC stands with all Kenyans demanding a more ethical government. Together, we can build systems that serve the people-not personal interests,” he affirmed.
On Thursday, President Ruto has referred the Conflict of Interest Bill back to Parliament for reconsideration saying the bill falls short of what Kenyans expect in the fight against corruption.
“I expect both Houses of Parliament to exercise leadership in making sure we get a piece of law that help us manage and eventually eliminate matters corruption, that in many cases come as a result of conflict of interest by public officials who serve not the public, but their interests,” Ruto stated.
While the Bill as presented largely addresses the subject of conflict of interest, the President noted the need for further improvements to strengthen its provisions on transparency and enforcement to align it with the constitutional values of integrity and good governance.
