Poghisho slams Parliament for abandoning its oversight role
Former Senate Majority Leader Samuel Poghisho has called out Members of Parliament for abandoning their oversight role and instead becoming the government’s mouthpiece.
Poghisho made his remarks on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in an interview with a local media house. According to the former West Pokot senator, the Members of Parliament are failing in their constitutional duty to provide oversight and instead acting as the government’s loudest defenders.
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“With the issue of reputation, this is a captured Parliament; this is a Parliament that is a sheep being led to a slaughterhouse,” Poghisho said.
Likewise, on his side, Posghisho also criticised legislators for lacking the moral authority to question President William Ruto, saying they have instead taken up the role of defending the government at every opportunity.
“They have no moral authority to even talk about President Ruto,” he added.
Similarly, he noted various instances the legislators have failed in their constitutional duties while noting that the executive has minimal support for the Head of State, unlike its position constitutionally.
“The biggest defenders of the government everywhere they go are actually the legislatures and not from the executive; there is very little executive support for the President in terms of his programmes,” Poghisho said.
The former Senate Majority leaders also reminded the lawmakers that their constitutional role includes not just legislation and representation but also holding the Executive accountable.
“The institution of Parliament constitutionally is supposed to check on the Executive; constitutionally, they are supposed to legislate and represent but also check what we call oversight,” he added.
Corrupt house
Poghisho’s remarks come amid heated conversation about corrupt activities in Parliament, whereby, according to President Euto, legislators are said to be extorting money from various parties in government.
President William Ruto accused a section of Members of Parliament of receiving bribes to vote against the recently enacted anti-money laundering law.
Speaking during a joint parliamentary group meeting with ODM and UDA legislators on Monday, August 18, Ruto said he was aware of corrupt dealings within parliamentary committees.
“There are legitimate concerns about how resources are being spent at the counties, and we cannot run away. By virtue of the position I hold today, I am a consumer of raw intelligence. I know what’s going on,” he said.
The President claimed that some MPs were compromised with millions of shillings to frustrate critical laws.
