Can a government official accept gifts?
Conflict of Interest Act 2025; Constitution of Kenya 2010 · sources read 4 Oct 2026
A gift to a State officer on a public or official occasion belongs to the Republic and must be handed over to the State. Public officers may not ask for or accept gifts from people their work affects, and any gift they do accept must be declared within 48 hours.
- Deadline
- An officer who accepts a gift must declare it within 48 hours (or within 48 hours of returning to duty).
- Deadline
- An investigation into a complaint must be finished within 90 days.
- Where
- The officer's employer, or the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (Integrity Centre, Nairobi, regional offices, or online)
Steps
- If you think an officer broke the gift rules, complain to the officer's employer (the reporting authority) or to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
- You can report to EACC in writing, by phone, or in person at Integrity Centre in Nairobi or an EACC regional office. You can also report anonymously on the EACC website.
- You have a right to be told what action is taken on your complaint.
Watch out
- An official gift is allowed if it is normal courtesy or protocol, customary for the post, non-monetary, or below a value set by regulations. It must still be declared.
- State officers may not ask for or accept a personal loan or benefit that compromises their integrity.
- Breaking the rules is an offence: a fine of up to KSh 4 million, up to 10 years in jail, or both.
Who this covers
- State officers (such as MPs, governors, ministers and judges): gifts on public or official occasions go to the State.
- All public officers: State officers and anyone else holding a public office.
Official sources (4)
- Conflict of Interest Act, 2025 (No. 11 of 2025) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Constitution of Kenya, 2010 new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026
- Report Corruption eacc.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- The Conflict of Interest Act, 2025 (No. 11 of 2025), Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 131 (Acts No. 11), 5 August 2025 eacc.go.ke · read 4 Oct 2026