Parliament is staring at one of its gravest credibility crises in recent history, as MPs clash openly with President William Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga over explosive bribery claims.
The unfolding storm has exposed deep fissures between the Executive and the Legislature, raising fears of a full-blown standoff that could cripple the House’s ability to discharge its oversight mandate.
The fallout could also turn into a political nightmare for Ruto as some MPs could reconsider their political backing—at a time the President’s popularity is believed to have suffered a major beating.
At the heart of the row are allegations that huge sums of money have changed hands in parliamentary committees, with some lawmakers accused of extorting witnesses and demanding inducements to influence legislation.
The claims, which the President himself amplified, have not only embarrassed Parliament but also cast doubt on its capacity to act as the guardian of accountability.
Speaking during a joint Kenya Kwanza–ODM Parliamentary Group meeting at the KCB Leadership Centre in Karen, President Ruto accused unnamed legislators of turning committees into marketplaces where legislation and oversight are traded for cash.
In a stinging rebuke, he revealed that some MPs allegedly pocketed Sh10 million to frustrate the passage of the Anti-Money Laundering Bill.
Ruto went further to claim that a governor was recently pressured to part with Sh150 million in the Senate.
He described the alleged scheme as a “soko huru” (open-air market) that was bleeding public coffers and undermining the fight against graft.
“Do you, for example, know that a few members of your committee collected Sh10 million so that you don’t pass that law on anti-money laundering? Did you get the money?” the President posed.
“For example, the latest soko huru in the Senate. By virtue of the position I hold—I am a consumer of raw intelligence—I know what is going on. Where does somebody find Sh150 million? That is money that belongs to the county,” the President said.
To demonstrate his seriousness, the Head of State on Tuesday announced the creation of a powerful multi-agency team that will spearhead the war against corruption, economic crimes, and related offenses.
The agency, domiciled in the Office of the President and with the Attorney General as its secretary, will bring together an array of institutions including the NIS, EACC, ODPP, DCI, KRA, Central Bank, Financial Reporting Centre, Asset Recovery Agency, and the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority.
But if Ruto expected applause from Parliament, he was instead met with fury.
MPs across the political divide fired back, accusing the President of maligning them and dragging the integrity of the entire institution into disrepute.
Saboti MP Caleb Amisi dismissed the claims as political grandstanding, insisting that unless evidence is tabled and culprits prosecuted, the President’s words would remain empty rhetoric.
“The President will be construed as politicking, unless something legal comes out and people are arrested and charged. The President is playing politics,” Amisi charged.
Lawmakers now want the President summoned to substantiate his claims.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, who chairs the powerful County Public Accounts Committee, invoked Article 125 of the Constitution, which gives parliamentary committees powers similar to those of the High Court to summon witnesses.
“Our position is that the Speakers should use Article 125 to summon the President to come and give evidence of Sh150 million and Sh10 million on the Anti-Money Laundering Act,” Kajwang’ said.
He challenged Ruto to go beyond lamentations. “If you know these people, do not mourn and cry like any other common person. As a consumer of raw intelligence and as the person who can direct the DCI to investigate, please Kenya wants action.”
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, the Senate’s Deputy Minority Whip, echoed Kajwang’s position, insisting that Parliament has the constitutional power to summon anyone, including the President.
“The Speaker must defend this institution and call out the hypocrites who are pointing fingers at Parliament, when we know they are the originators of corruption in this country,” Sifuna said.
Rarieda MP Otiende Amolo supported the push, citing Standing Order 191 which empowers the Powers and Privileges Committee to summon any person.
“Our only way forward is for the committee to summon the President to explain the Sh10 million allegations,” Otiende said.
The confrontation escalated when MPs threatened to impeach the two Speakers—Moses Wetang’ula (National Assembly) and Amason Kingi (Senate)—accusing them of failing to defend Parliament.
Kajwang’ warned that, “The Speakers must stand up; if they are not going to do it, then these members will do unto them what they did to Gachagua,” referencing the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Sifuna was even more scathing, accusing the leadership of abdicating responsibility.
“As aspersions are cast on the conduct of the committees, we have the Speaker who says nothing, majority and minority leaders who say nothing. We have a leadership that doesn’t know how to protect the institution. Our Speaker is nowhere to be seen,” he said.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei declared that the House had been invaded because its leaders failed to act.
“While Parliament is under attack, it is the responsibility of the Speakers to defend the House. We are putting them on notice: they will go before we go,” he said.
Other lawmakers expressed outrage at being vilified while still expected to pass critical government business, including the implementation of the bipartisan Nadco agenda.
Tetu MP Geoffrey Wandeto cautioned against what he termed an “unholy dalliance” with the Executive.
“There are things we must stop doing. We have seen attacks even on NG-CDF by the Executive whom we have helped in difficult circumstances,” he said.
Kathiani MP Robert Mbui rallied colleagues to unite in defense of Parliament’s dignity.
“The Executive must respect this House. Members have stood with this government, and now they are being thrown under the bus. We must fight together,” he urged.
Suba South MP Caroli Omondi warned that MPs would not sit back and watch while being scapegoated. “Some of us have held the sharp end of the knife to protect him,” he said, referring to Ruto.
The revolt now threatens to destabilise the bipartisan cooperation between Ruto and Raila.
Lawmakers have vowed to stall government business until their dignity is restored.
On Tuesday morning, the National Assembly was thrown into embarrassment after a mass boycott left the chambers virtually deserted, with fewer than 10 MPs showing up.
With a quorum set at 50, the absence meant business ground to a halt.
The situation became so dire that the number of sergeants-at-arms and parliamentary clerks in the chamber far exceeded the MPs present.
Deputy Speaker Gladys Shollei ordered the quorum bell rung for 15 minutes, but the threshold was never met.
At 10:21 am, she adjourned the sitting to the afternoon.“Pursuant to Article 35(2), there being no quorum, the House stands adjourned to Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at 2:30 pm,” Shollei ruled.
In the afternoon, the Justice and Legal Affairs Committee, which handled the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, moved to clear its name.
Chairman George Murugara (Tharaka) categorically denied receiving inducements.
“On behalf of JLAC, the committee did not solicit and did not receive any inducement from any member or quarter as alleged,” he said, urging anyone with evidence to present it to investigative authorities.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
President William Ruto and ODM leader have in recent days unleashed scathing attacks on MPs, accusing them of demanding bribes from witnesses and to pass legislation. MPs have however denied the allegations, demanding that the Head of State be summoned to substantiate his allegations.
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