Mungatana defends Parliament, says Ruto’s claims too broad
By Paulette Mboga, August 21, 2025Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana has come to the defence of Parliament after President William Ruto made remarks suggesting there was corruption within the institution.
According to Mungatana, while the President only stated that corruption exists in Parliament, some members interpreted the statement as a sweeping generalisation, sparking anger and chants demanding that the President name and shame the individuals involved.
Mungatana explained in a TV interview on Thursday, August 21, 2025, that legislators felt unfairly targeted by the suggestion that the entire institution was tainted by graft.
“President Ruto only said that there is corruption in Parliament, not in its entirety, but according to some members, that was the implication,” Mungatana said. “The anger is understandable because MPs felt it was unfair for him to generalise.”
The senator pointed out that lawmakers want accountability and fairness in the fight against corruption. By asking the President to specify who was guilty, they hoped to avoid the reputational damage caused by blanket accusations that cast suspicion on every member of Parliament.
Intelligence is not evidence
Mungatana went further to challenge the President’s reliance on raw intelligence in making his claims.
He argued that intelligence, while useful for guiding investigations, cannot substitute evidence in any formal process.
“If he is a consumer of raw intelligence, he should know that intelligence is not evidence,” he said. “You cannot use intelligence in court, the Senate, the National Assembly, or a County Assembly committee.”
The senator stressed the importance of due process, noting that corruption allegations must be backed by verifiable evidence before they can be acted upon. Without specifics and proper proof, he warned, such claims risk undermining the credibility of Parliament as a whole.
Mungatana’s comments reflect broader concerns among legislators about the need for precise accountability in tackling corruption. While Parliament acknowledges that cases of misconduct do exist, the insistence is that individuals must be identified rather than entire institutions being painted with a broad brush.
The remarks by Senator Mungatana underscore the delicate balance between the executive and legislative arms of government in addressing corruption. His call suggests that Parliament is open to scrutiny but unwilling to be condemned wholesale.