President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga on Monday, August 18, co-chaired a joint Kenya Kwanza–ODM parliamentary group (PG) meeting at the KCB Leadership Centre in Karen, Nairobi.
The meeting, attended by a wide representation of legislators, was marked by the conspicuous absence of ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino.
Among those present were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, Senate Minority Leader Stewart Madzayo, and UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar. Others included Nominated MP Sabina Chege, Mandera Senator Ali Roba, Tigania East MP Mpuri Aburi, Migori Senator Eddy Oketh, Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’, and South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro.
Focus on Corruption Allegations
The meeting also turned attention to corruption within parliamentary committees. President Ruto claimed that some MPs had received a KSh10 million bribe to pass the Anti-Money Laundering Bill.
“Did you know that a few members of parliament collected KSh10 million so that you could pass the Anti-Money Laundering Bill? Did you get the money?” he asked, vowing that both givers and takers of bribes would face arrest.
Ruto stressed that bribery is undermining Parliament’s credibility:
“There are people who are destroying the credibility of Parliament. They are collecting money in the name of Parliament. Most of the time, that money never gets to Parliament; it gets to a few people. We are not going to shame them. We are going to arrest them.”
Junet Mohamed Responds
Suna East MP Junet Mohamed countered Ruto’s claims, saying the President had mischaracterized parliamentary practices.
He argued that what occurs in Parliament is lobbying, not bribery:
“There are certain pronouncements you made about Parliament, President Ruto. I assumed you were referring to lobbying, but the one you described is different. Lobbying is a globally recognized practice.”
Junet added that lobbying is conducted externally and is not the same as Ruto’s description of cash-for-votes inside Parliament.
Leave a Reply