Ruto Explodes Over ‘Bribe-Hungry’ Parliamentary Committees
President William Ruto has accused some parliamentary committees of shamelessly demanding bribes from members of the Executive to secure favourable reports.
Speaking at the opening of the National Devolution Conference on Wednesday, August 13, Ruto said corruption had infiltrated the very institutions meant to uphold accountability.
“While I agree with the sentiments expressed by the Speaker of the Senate on holding governors and county governments to account, the Legislature must also be held to account,” he said.
‘Money Is Being Demanded’
Ruto claimed committees have turned into extortion rings targeting Cabinet ministers and governors summoned for questioning.
“Something is going on in our Legislature that we must call out,” he declared.
“There is money being demanded, from the Executive — especially those who appear before our Houses of Parliament. It is not possible that committees demand to be bribed, demand to be paid to write reports or look the other way.”
He urged National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi to confront the rot within Parliament.
Judiciary Also Under Fire
The president didn’t stop at Parliament. He took aim at the Judiciary, accusing it of enabling corruption through questionable rulings.
“I want to ask the Judiciary not to be a haven for the corrupt and hide behind judicial decisions,” Ruto said.
He singled out the controversial practice of granting anticipatory bail, which shields suspects from arrest before formal charges are made.
“We have an innovation that is only available in Kenya,” he noted bitterly.
“Someone who has stolen public funds goes to court, gets anticipatory bail, and makes it impossible for such a person to be arrested and prosecuted. It takes us backwards.”
Call for a United Front Against Graft
Ruto insisted that fighting corruption requires an “all-of-society” approach, warning that shielding offenders only fuels impunity.
He called for a review of anticipatory bail, arguing it serves the corrupt rather than justice.
“We cannot win the war on graft if our institutions protect those stealing from Kenyans,” he stressed.
Public Shock and Demands for Action
Ruto’s remarks have stirred national debate, with many Kenyans demanding immediate investigations. Civil society groups have urged Parliament to prove its innocence through transparent proceedings.
As the allegations ripple across political corridors, all eyes now turn to the Speakers of both Houses — and to the Judiciary — to see if they will act or remain silent.
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Ruto Explodes Over ‘Bribe-Hungry’ Parliamentary Committees
