Ruto warns MPs against taking bribes to alter parliamentary reports
President William Ruto has 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.
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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.”
President Ruto reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, urging all leaders from Parliament to county assemblies to uphold the highest standards of ethics.
“There is no space for individuals who want to make a profit out of public service. Leadership is about service, not self-enrichment,” he said.
The Head of State also reaffirmed his support for devolution and emphasised the importance of honest collaboration between national and county governments. He noted that accountability is a shared responsibility and warned against using public institutions for personal gain.
“This Devolution Conference is not just a platform for reviewing progress. It’s a time to confront the challenges holding us back, and corruption is one of them,” Ruto said.
Kingi on weak oversight
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has sounded the alarm over rampant corruption and weak accountability systems in some counties, warning that these challenges are slowly eroding the gains of devolution and threatening public trust in county governments.
Speaking on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, during the devolution conference in Homa Bay County, Kingi expressed deep concern over the failure of some governors to honour invitations to appear before Senate committees to account for public funds under their watch.
“Corruption and weak accountability systems in some counties continue to threaten and erode public trust in devolution,” Kingi said.
“Regrettably, the failure by some governors to honour invitations by the Senate to come and account for the resources placed in their hands not only erodes the good working relationship within the devolution family, but also undermines promotion of accountability.”
He cited instances where Senate committees had encountered open hostility during county visits, calling such behaviour very regrettable and detrimental to the spirit of cooperative governance.
