Kenya's problem is not laws but leadership - Muturi on Conflict of Interest Bill

His remarks follow the President's official signing of the Conflict of Interest Bill Act 2025 into law.

“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,” he said in a statement on X.

“But laws alone have never been the problem.”

Muturi noted that for corruption to be confronted in a meaningful manner, it must start from the very top, and everyone must be honest with themselves.

“It is not just about institutions and frameworks; it’s about the integrity of those entrusted with power,” he said.

He further stated that many 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,” Muturi noted.

“Without that, no law, however well-written, will save this country from the rot,” he added.

The new Conflict of Interest law outlines penalties for public officials who misuse their positions for personal gain and requires full disclosure of interests.

The law seeks to address the often-blurred lines between public duty and private interest, aiming to close loopholes that have for years enabled public servants to benefit from the very systems they manage

Over the years, Kenya has enacted multiple laws and formed numerous agencies tasked with tackling corruption.

From the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to the Auditor-General's office, the institutions exist.

However, there is growing public frustration over the apparent failure of these bodies to act decisively, especially when top officials are involved.