Aasai

HOURS after President William Ruto launched a task force to combat deep-rooted corruption in the public sector, while continuing his accusations of bribery in Parliament, MPs have responded angrily, branding the President a key figure in major corruption scandals. For the third time, at the Kenya First and ODM parliamentary group meeting held on August 18, 2025, President Ruto accused MPs of participating in corruption by demanding bribes to ask questions, move motions, amend bills, or provide favorable reports to those appearing before parliamentary committees. 

However, MPs led by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah (Kikuyu) and his minority colleague Junet Mohamed (Suna East), seemingly fed up with what they described as humiliation by State House, hit back strongly in the afternoon session, saying that the central government is losing its way. “We have men and women elected by the people to represent their interests and run the government on their behalf,” said Mr Ichungwah. “When we run a government, we do not do it on a preferential basis. Not on behalf of the President or the Judiciary,” he added, urging MPs not to be swayed by the President’s statements. “This Parliament has the power to remove anyone from government, but no one in government can remove you. 

I am deeply hurt by these allegations of corruption,” said Ichung’wah. For his part, Mr Junet said: “I have said in this House before that people take the position of parliamentarian as a joke. But if they try to contest, they will know how difficult it is.” “It is impossible to taint the entire House. If you have a problem with an individual, speak up. 

This House is the one with the direct authority to represent the interests of the people,” he added. Tharaka MP Gitonga Murugara, who moved an urgent motion to debate the bribery scandal in Parliament, advised President Ruto to “say which MP or MPs demanded or received Sh150 million or any other bribe.” The President claimed at a parliamentary group meeting that some MPs have been demanding up to Sh150 million from people who come before them, claiming it is county government funds. 

But Mr Murugara asked the President to submit his evidence to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) for an investigation. Through Presidential Decree No. 1 in 2025, President Ruto formally established an inter-agency task force under the Department of Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs, bringing together government institutions involved in the investigation and monitoring of corruption issues.

 The institutions include the Office of the President who will lead the task force, the Attorney General who will be the secretary, the National Intelligence Service (NIS), EACC, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Financial Reporting Centre (FRC), Asset Recovery Agency (ARA), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), and Public Procurement Regulatory Authority (PPRA). 

Rarieda MP, Otiende Amollo, said he has never sought or received any bribe.“The President should have written a formal message to the Speaker about the allegations he is making so that it can be presented. Not to portray us as criminals. This is a disgrace. Use your authority to order the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Committee to call the President, or the head of the civil service, to come and tell us who received the bribes,” said Dr Amollo. Endebess MP, Dr Robert Pukose, also said “It is a great shame for the President to stand in public and accuse this Parliament. This should be investigated and the truth should be known. Citizens now see us as thieves, while we have families.” Responding sharply, Tetu MP, Geoffrey Wandeto, said Parliament is the temple of democracy. “What we have witnessed in the past two weeks is frightening. The central government has claimed that there is corruption here in Parliament. 

We feel that we are in danger even on the streets,” said Mr Wandeto. On his part, Bumula MP, Wamboka Wanami, said Parliament is being attacked because it has exposed those involved in the e-Citizen scandal and how money is being lost through the digital revenue collection platform. “It is wrong for the President to say he is being given intelligence information and then make such a strong statement. The law says that anyone who knows a crime has been committed and remains silent, then that person is also an accomplice. In this case, the President is also an accomplice,” said Mr Wanami.