Cleophas Malala: Ruto exploits psychology of MPs by using money
Democracy for Citizens’ Party Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala has accused after accusing President William Ruto of manipulating Members of Parliament using financial incentives.
According to Malala, the President has mastered the psychology of legislators and understands that whenever he pushes them hard on a particular issue, they expect to be compensated.
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Malala, in a TV interview on Thursday, August 21, 2025, pointed to the recent Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting as an example, alleging that lawmakers were given money immediately after the President addressed them.
He questioned the motive behind such payments, suggesting they were linked to Ruto’s push to secure loyalty from MPs.
“The President has studied the psychology of Parliament: he knows that whenever he pursues them on an issue, they expect to be paid. Even during the recent PG, after he lectured them, they were given money, begging the question, what was that money for?” Malala said.
Malala’s remarks have raised questions about transparency in how the executive relates with Parliament. If true, such claims would feed into long-standing suspicions that financial inducements are a hidden tool in ensuring support for government bills and motions.
Critics say that such practices, if unchecked, undermine the independence of Parliament and reduce legislative processes to transactional deals rather than principled decision-making. Malala argued that this cycle of expectation and reward weakens democracy and risks turning MPs into political hostages of the executive.
The allegations come at a time when the President has been firm in his rhetoric against corruption and misuse of public resources. Malala’s claims, therefore, cut directly against Ruto’s message of accountability, raising fresh doubts about whether the government is committed to genuine reform.
A divisive debate in politics
Supporters of the President have dismissed Malala’s comments as unfounded and politically motivated, pointing to his frequent clashes with Ruto’s allies in recent months.
They argue that Malala is attempting to stir controversy and gain political mileage by casting doubt on the President’s methods.
Nevertheless, the claims have opened up a divisive debate about the role of money in politics and the pressures facing MPs when aligning themselves with government positions.
