The government has proposed a 90-day moratorium on payments, hiring, and contractual commitments ahead of elections to prevent the misuse of public funds during the transition period.
Under the Assumption of the Office of President and Transition of Executive Authority Bill, 2025, state officers would be prohibited from making financial commitments 90 days before a presidential election. Payments exceeding Sh50 million would require Treasury approval, and international agreements binding the government would also be restricted, with penalties of up to Sh10 million for violations.
The bill, introduced in Parliament, seeks to ensure smooth transitions by limiting last-minute government spending. Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who is sponsoring the legislation, said only “necessary commitments” with approved budgets would be allowed.
The proposal follows controversies over payments made during the previous transition, including Sh6 billion for a Telkom Kenya stake buyback and Sh4 billion for millers in the unga subsidy program, both flagged by Auditor General Nancy Gathungu.
Additionally, the bill bars Cabinet Secretaries and Principal Secretaries from appointing new officers during the election period and restricts their international travel without written approval. Ministries, departments, and agencies must submit handover reports by July 15 of the election year, detailing finances, projects, assets, and ongoing legal matters.
The move comes after allegations of sabotage during President William Ruto’s transition from his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, in 2022.
