Gakuya: Ruto should blame himself for MPs demanding bribes
Embakasi North Member of Parliament James Gakuya has faulted President William Ruto over his recent remarks on bribery in Parliament, arguing that the Head of State should take responsibility instead of pointing fingers at lawmakers.
Speaking in a TV interview on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Gakuya accused President Ruto of enabling a culture of corruption in Parliament by using public resources to influence outcomes.
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“President Ruto shouldn’t complain about bribery in Parliament. He has taught MPs how to fish and has been micro-managing Parliament using taxpayers’ money. He should accuse himself first, because his bills are passing through bribery, including Gachagua’s impeachment,” the MP stated.
According to Gakuya, many of the government’s legislative wins in Parliament have not come from persuasion or merit, but rather through inducements that have compromised the independence of the House.
Bribery beyond the speaker’s reach
The legislator further explained how bribery could be taking place in Parliament without the Speaker’s direct knowledge. He argued that parliamentary committees, which are chaired by MPs, remain the most vulnerable spaces for backdoor deals.
“It is possible for bribery to happen in Parliament without the knowledge of the Speaker because the Speaker doesn’t sit in committees. The committees are led by their chairs. Therefore, it can be done at the committee level, and none of the information may reach the Speaker,” Gakuya remarked.
His comments reflect a growing concern that corruption within Parliament may be more systemic than acknowledged, with allegations of cash-for-votes increasingly casting a shadow over legislative processes.
Echoing similar sentiments, governance expert Fred Ogola challenged President Ruto to move beyond rhetoric if he is genuinely committed to fighting corruption.
“If President Ruto receives raw intelligence about bribery, what action has he taken during his time in office? He should present evidence to the DCI for investigations, because corruption cannot end by shouting. Those MPs should be arrested,” Prof. Ogola emphasised.
Speaking during a joint parliamentary group meeting between the Kenya Kwanza Alliance and the Orange Democratic Movement party on Monday, August 18, 2025, Ruto threatened to expose and arrest MPs, particularly at the committee level, for demanding bribes to influence outcomes.
“They are collecting money in the name of Parliament, and sometimes that money never gets to Parliament. Instead, it ends up in the pockets of a few individuals. We are not going to shame them; we are going to apprehend them,” a visibly agitated Ruto retorted.
