NAIROBI, Kenya – Corruption suspects could soon face swifter justice as the government moves to overhaul how graft cases are prosecuted in Kenya.
A new bill introduced by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor seeks to impose strict timelines on the prosecution and appeals process of corruption-related offences.
The Anti-Corruption Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, unveiled on Thursday, proposes that all corruption trials be concluded within six months from the time of commencement, while appeals would be capped at a maximum of one year.
“If the amendment goes through, then all corruption cases will have to be concluded within six months,” said Oduor, while introducing the legislation.
The proposed law lays out precise deadlines across all stages of legal proceedings.
High Court appeals would be limited to three months, while appeals at the Court of Appeal must be finalized within six months.
The bill also targets cases involving the forfeiture of assets acquired through corruption, with such matters expected to be resolved within six months of filing.
In a bid to reduce unnecessary delays, the bill sharply restricts adjournments. Courts would only be permitted to grant adjournments under “compelling and exceptional circumstances,” with priority placed on expedited hearings.
“Notwithstanding anything contained in the Criminal Procedure Code, the trial of an offence under this Act shall be completed within six months,” the bill states.
Oduor said the reform was part of the government’s broader effort to close loopholes in the justice system that allow high-profile corruption cases to stall indefinitely.
“Tackling corruption swiftly is necessary for stabilising Kenya’s economy and improving governance,” she noted.
She added that accelerated trials will not only boost public confidence in the judiciary but also help create a more transparent and accountable government.
Alongside the anti-corruption legislation, the AG also introduced two complementary bills — the Public Participation Bill, 2025, and the Whistle-Blower Protection Bill, 2025 — aimed at strengthening citizen engagement and safeguarding individuals who expose corruption.
The move comes amid mounting pressure from civil society and opposition leaders, who have accused the government of failing to address endemic corruption, with cases often bogged down in endless litigation.
According to a recent African Development Bank report, Kenya is losing an estimated Sh194 billion annually to corruption, underlining the urgent need for systemic reform.
If passed, the new laws would represent a significant shake-up in how Kenya tackles graft — potentially turning long-delayed justice into swift accountability.
