EACC engages Bungoma County Assembly on Conflict of Interest Act
05:12:2025: The Commission sensitized Members and staff of the Bungoma County Assembly on the newly enacted Conflict of Interest Act, 2025.
The Thursday, December 4 session at Paskari Nabwana Hall was led by Mr. Patrick Owiny, Deputy Director, Ethics Compliance, and Ethics Officer Mr. Awino Oluoch. It focused on helping public officers understand the Act’s provisions and implications.
Mr. Owiny highlighted the major reforms, describing the Act as a milestone in promoting ethics, integrity, and accountability. He explained that the law provides a framework for identifying, preventing, and managing conflicts between public duties and personal interests. Public officers must avoid situations where private interests compromise decision-making and declare any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts.
A key provision prohibits public officers from trading with or benefiting from contracts involving their own institutions. Section 19 bars officers from supplying goods, works, or services to their reporting entities, participating in procurement where they hold private interests, or benefiting from such contracts. These measures close loopholes that previously enabled insider trading and misuse of office.
The Act also introduces stringent sanctions. Offences such as misuse of official information, preferential treatment, collusion, accepting prohibited gifts, and false declarations carry fines of up to Kes4 million or imprisonment for up to ten years for individuals. Corporations may face fines of up to Kes10 million, with additional penalties equal to twice the benefit accrued or loss caused.
Speaker of the County Assembly, Hon. Emmanuel Situma, praised the law and urged strict compliance, noting that violators would face firm action. Clerk of the County Assembly, Mr. Charles Wafula, reiterated that the session was convened to ensure Members and staff are fully informed and compliant.
