NAIROBI, Kenya – The government is set to overhaul its anti-corruption framework, with Attorney General Dorcas Oduor announcing that all corruption cases will be resolved within six months of commencement.
The move, aimed at eliminating judicial delays, is part of the proposed Anti-Corruption Law Amendment Bill, 2025.
Speaking at the launch of the Kenya Integrity Plan (KIP) at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on Thursday, Oduor stressed the urgency of tackling graft, which she said continues to hinder economic growth.
“We have developed the Anti-Corruption Law Amendment Bill, 2025, which seeks to, among other things, ensure corruption and economic crimes are concluded within six months and reduce appeal timelines at the High Court and the Court of Appeal,” she stated.
The AG warned that lengthy trials have allowed corruption to thrive, fostering impunity and delaying justice.
The Kenya Leadership Integrity Forum (KLIF) today launched its 4th Strategic Plan (2023-2028) at the Kenyatta International Conventional Centre (KICC).
If Parliament approves the bill, all corruption cases will have to be finalized within the set timeframe.
Oduor urged government institutions to align their operations with the Kenya Integrity Plan, a blueprint for fighting corruption through stronger oversight and better enforcement.
She also called for the adoption of modern investigative tools to enhance the efficiency of graft probes.
“New technologies in investigations are making progress. However, we need more modernized tools and improved oversight to ensure effective enforcement,” she noted.
The AG highlighted a multi-agency initiative, the Kenya and San Francisco Forum, which meets twice a year to assess the implementation of anti-corruption measures.
The committee convenes in May and October to track progress on the Integrity Plan and ensure public resources are safeguarded.
The urgency of reforms comes against the backdrop of rising corruption cases.
According to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), Kenya recorded 5,171 corruption-related complaints in the 2023-2024 financial year, up from 4,932 the previous year.
Of these, 2,207 cases fell within the EACC’s mandate, with 534 currently under investigation and 221 already in court.
The commission also secured 1,546 search warrants to examine financial records, premises, and assets linked to suspected corruption.
Bribery accounted for 42% of investigated cases, followed by embezzlement of public funds (13%), unethical conduct (12%), and fraudulent acquisition or disposal of public property (11%).
Legal experts and civil society groups are expected to scrutinize the feasibility of concluding corruption trials within six months.
While the move signals a tough stance on graft, concerns remain over whether Kenya’s judicial system can handle expedited trials without compromising due process.
