The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has announced new timelines and procedures for wealth declaration by public officers under the Conflict of Interest Act, 2025.

In a public notice issued by EACC Chief Executive Officer Abdi Mohamud, the commission directed all State and public officers to declare their income, assets, and liabilities for the year 2025 between November 1 and December 31, 2025.

“All State and public officers are required to file their declarations to their respective responsible commissions,” the notice reads, stressing that each officer bears personal responsibility for the accuracy and truthfulness of the information submitted.

This will be the first declaration exercise conducted under the new Conflict of Interest Act, which took effect on August 19, 2025. The process is designed to promote transparency, accountability, and integrity in public service by ensuring regular disclosure of financial interests.

Under the Act, public officers must declare their income, assets, and liabilities, including those of their spouses and dependent children under 18 years. They must also report any material changes defined as significant alterations in their declared information within a two-year period.

The new law replaces the repealed Public Officer Ethics Act, though existing regulations under the old framework will remain in force until new ones are enacted.

The notice further outlines that designated “responsible commissions” will handle declarations for specific cadres of officers as provided in Section 32 of the Act. Where no commission has been designated, the body previously responsible under the repealed law will continue to perform that role.

These commissions are tasked with scrutinising declarations for completeness, accuracy, and potential conflicts of interest, as well as seeking clarifications from officers within six months after the declaration period closes.

They must also:

• Process access requests from authorised entities or law enforcement agencies,
• Maintain declaration records for at least five years after an officer exits public service, and
• Take disciplinary action against officers who fail to comply or provide false information.

The EACC noted that undeclared or unexplained assets may be subject to forfeiture and that all commissions are required to submit compliance reports to the EACC by July 31, 2026.

The anti-graft agency said the declaration exercise is a key pillar of Kenya’s anti-corruption and governance reforms, reinforcing integrity and accountability across the public sector.