Robert Mbui spills the beans on deep-rooted bribery scheme in parliament
By Cynthia Lodite, August 19, 2025Kathiani Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Mbui has revealed that extortion in Parliament is not a unique phenomenon while confirming long-standing claims of corruption within Parliament.
The Kathiani Member of Parliament, who made his remarks on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, during an interview with a local media house, has stated that money has been used for years to sway decisions on the floor of the House.
“I do believe that there is money that changes hands to influence decisions on the floor of the house,” he said.
On his part, while admitting to the misconduct in the National Assembly following the recent corruption allegations, he notes that it has been there ever since he joined Parliament and has watched it over time now.
“It is not a new phenomenon, it has always been there from the time I was elected, I have seen that happen over the years,” Mbui added
He has further revealed that during his time in the 11th Parliament (2013–2017), Members were forced to disband the Budget and Appropriations Committee following serious allegations of misconduct and unethical practices.
“Money changes hands, it is not a unique phenomenon to this Parliament,i was in the 11th Parliament from 2013 to 2017, and in that Parliament as Members of Parliament we disbanded the Budgets and Appropriations Committee on the allegations of misconduct and inappropriate action by the Members of that Committee,” Mbui said.
Meanwhile, he further revealed, “We also disbanded the Public Accounts Committee and it was on the same allegations that they were extorting money from people that had been named by the auditor general.”
Ruto calls out corrupt MPs
Worth noting, his remarks follow President Ruto’s recent comments accusing MPs of taking bribes to pass critical bills, sparking a national debate on ethics and integrity in the legislature.
President William Ruto recently issued a stern warning against corruption within Parliament, singling out committee members demanding bribes to alter or ignore official reports.
The President made the remarks on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, during the official opening of the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, where he emphasised the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
In a bold address, Ruto condemned what he described as a growing trend of corruption within parliamentary oversight committees.
“We cannot allow committees of Parliament to demand to be bribed for them to write reports or to look the other way for what is happening in either the national or county government,” Ruto declared.
The President’s comments come amid heightened scrutiny of public institutions and growing concern over the integrity of oversight mechanisms in both national and county governments.
“We are working hard to build a country where institutions function properly, and where every arm of government plays its role with integrity,” he said.
“If we allow corruption to thrive within oversight bodies, then we undermine the very foundation of our democracy.”