President William Ruto has signed two major bills into law — the Social Protection Bill 2025 and the Conflict of Interest Bill 2023 — in a move aimed at expanding government support for vulnerable Kenyans and promoting higher standards of transparency and accountability in public service.
The Social Protection Bill 2025, signed at State House, Nairobi, introduces a broader system of monthly financial support, extending beyond the traditional groups like the elderly, orphans, and people with severe disabilities.
The new law now covers more Kenyans who are suffering from extreme poverty, natural disasters, pandemics, job losses, and other major economic challenges.
A key part of the new law is the creation of a National Board for Social Protection, which will be responsible for managing the registration of eligible individuals and distributing the benefits.
To make the process faster and easier, the law introduces a digital registration system that allows people to apply online — removing the need to physically visit Huduma Centres or government offices, as was previously required.
This new Act replaces the Social Assistance Act, and is designed to make government aid more organized, efficient, and focused on meeting people’s real needs. Its main goals are to protect those most at risk, restore their dignity, and help them improve their quality of life.
Another major change is the formation of a Social Protection Fund under the Public Finance Management Act.
The Cabinet Secretary for Labour will be in charge of setting it up. This fund will collect money from both national and county governments to support all the different welfare programs. The fund ensures that there is a reliable source of financing to help Kenyans in need.
In addition to giving out money, the government will also be offering non-financial support under this law. These benefits will include items like food, household goods, foster care services, psychological counseling, and access to healthcare.
This approach is meant to provide comprehensive support that goes beyond just cash transfers.
County governments will now have a legal obligation to put in money and play an active part in delivering these services. This will help ensure that the welfare programs reach people in all 47 counties across the country.
New Conflict of Interest Law to Promote Honesty in Government
At the same event, President Ruto also signed the Conflict of Interest Bill 2023 into law, following amendments made by Parliament based on his suggestions.
This law is designed to improve ethical behavior in public service and stop government officials from using their positions for personal gain.
It gives the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) more power to supervise and enforce rules around conflicts of interest, further strengthening its role in promoting integrity across all levels of government.
One of the major changes under this law is that more categories of public officers — such as Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), senior county staff, and even top judicial officers like the Chief Justice and Deputy Chief Justice — must now declare their income, properties, and debts.
This requirement is expected to close long-standing loopholes and raise transparency in how public officials handle their finances.
Together, these two laws mark a major milestone in Kenya’s efforts to build a fairer society — one where the government supports the most vulnerable citizens while also ensuring that public officers act honestly and are held accountable.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
