Onyonka: Ruto bitter because MPs shortchanged him on AML Bill
Kisii County Senator Richard Onyonka has said the Head of State’s latest war on graft is not genuine.
Speaking on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, Onyonka argued that the real reason President William Ruto has recently lashed out at Members of Parliament is because the Anti-Money Laundering Bill was not passed in line with requirements set by the World Bank.
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Onyonka explained that the deal around the bill was already tainted, alleging that lawmakers had received money but failed to deliver what was expected.
He said the World Bank, which has been closely monitoring the bill’s passage, has now questioned the credibility of the process, leaving the Head of State frustrated.
“When people are sitting to pass a bad law, the Anti-Money Laundering Bill. When this issue came up, the dispute is because the MPs did not deliver what was expected.
“They passed a bill, which the World Bank is waiting for the bill to be enacted. The World Bank is asking, What is this you have done?
“So the MPs who ate the money shafted the President. That is why he is upset. Why? We have a country that is like a gambling den. Whoever that is, the highest bidder, will have his things sorted out,” Onyonka said.
Ruto calls out corrupt lawmakers
His remarks came just days after President Ruto, during a joint Parliamentary Group meeting with Orange Democratic Movement and United Democratic Alliance MPs in Karen on Monday, publicly accused some legislators of engaging in bribery to influence bills.
Without naming names, the Head of State said intelligence reports had confirmed the extent of corruption in Parliament.
“I am a consumer of raw intelligence. Do you, for example, know that a few members of the House here received up to Ksh10 million to pass the Anti-Money Laundering Bill? Do you know that? Did you get the money?” Ruto posed.
He went further to reveal that one senator had allegedly pocketed Ksh150 million to sway a matter before the House.
“There are people who are destroying the credibility of Parliament. Some of the time, that money never gets to Parliament: it only gets to a few people,” the President added.
Onyonka, however, insisted the President’s bitterness stems from lawmakers failing to uphold their end of the bargain.
