Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna faced criticism after voting in favor of an amendment to the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023, allowing state officials to conduct business directly with the government. He became a trending topic in Kenya on Sunday, July 7, after it was revealed that he was one of the 25 senators who supported the amendment proposed by Narok Senator Ledama Olekina in the Upper House.



Ledama Olekina proposed allowing state officials to engage in direct business transactions with the government. Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna was among those who supported the amendment to the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) strongly criticized the lawmakers, accusing them of undermining its efforts to combat corruption.

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"The tragic mutilation of the Conflict of Interest Bill, 2023 by the Senate in changes that will cripple the fight against corruption in Kenya," said the EACC CEO Twalib Mbarak.

The bill's original provisions prohibited any public officer from entering into contractual relationships with a state entity for the supply of goods, services, or works. In May of this year, 25 senators voted bipartisanally to approve the bill, which was forwarded to the National Assembly for further deliberation before President William Ruto's potential assent.

The only difference between Edwin Sifuna and Kipchumba Murkomen is proximity to the ultimate national power. If you switch their positions, you will get the exact same people behaving exactly the same.

If enacted, the new law would permit governors, senators, MPs, Cabinet Secretaries, and senior officials in parastatals to conduct business with the state without the requirement for accountability. Other senators who supported the bill include Aaron Cheruiyot from Kericho, Allan Chesang' from Trans Nzoia, Boni Khalwale from Kakamega, Jackson Mandago from Uasin Gishu, Tabitha Karanja from Nakuru, and Tom Ojienda from Kisumu.

Kenyans were offended by Sifuna, considering that he has consistently portrayed himself as a champion of the people's political and social causes.