Willis Otieno: MPs have been reduced to begging at State House
By Nancy Marende, August 24, 2025Lawyer Willis Otieno has launched a scathing attack on the current Parliament, accusing Members of Parliament of failing in their mandate and reducing themselves to beggars at State House.
In a statement on Sunday, August 24, 2025, Otieno likened the august House to a “pigsty”, claiming that MPs have abandoned their constitutional role of oversight and legislation in exchange for handouts.
“Wandayi, tafsiri hiyo iko kwa Katiba ya Kenya, sio kwa pochi yako. Shida ni kuwa Bunge la sasa limegeuka banda la nguruwe; wabunge wakihema kwa vitisho visivyo na meno huku wakijipaka tope la hongo na kula mabaki ya Ikulu,” Otieno charged.
Furthermore, he stated that legislators continue to act out of fear instead of standing up for the powers and responsibilities entrusted to them by the people of Kenya.
“Siku wabunge wataamka na kutambua nguvu walizopewa na wananchi, siku hiyo wataacha uoga na kuanza kufanya kazi ya kweli. Kwa sasa, wao ni kundi la nguruwe wanaogombea takataka mezani mwa Ruto,” he said.
Wandayi’s stance
Otieno’s remarks came after Energy Cabinet Secretary (CS) Opiyo Wandayi criticised some MPs for issuing empty threats after President William Ruto accused a section of Members of Parliament of receiving bribes to vote against the recently enacted anti-money laundering law.
“Unaongea kwa niaba ya nani? Na wewe uko na nguvu ya kutoka wapi Kenya hii? Wewe nani amekupatia nguvu ya kuweka na kutoa rais?” Wandayi posed.
Further, the CS dismissed what he described as political blackmail, saying some legislators had resorted to threats without real influence.
“Unapata mbunge hata term moja hajamaliza bungeni anajitokeza mchana na kutoa vitisho baridi, eti wao ndio walimweka rais kwa kiti na watamtoa. Pengine ulichangia kuweka yeye kwa kiti, lakini sisi tutahakikisha ya kwamba hautamtoa. Na wakati wa kura utakapofika, tutajua mbivu na mbichi,” Wandayi said.
Speaking during a joint parliamentary group meeting with ODM and UDA legislators on Monday, August 18, 2025 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.
“Do you, for example, know that a few members of your committee collected Ksh10 million so that you don’t pass that law on anti-money laundering? Did you get the money?” he asked.