MP Mukunji accuses Ruto of hypocrisy in labelling Parliament 'den of corruption'

Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji has accused President William Ruto of hypocrisy in labelling Parliament as a den of corruption.

This comes after President Ruto, while addressing the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County on Wednsday, accused Members of Parliament of breeding corruption in demanding bribes from Cabinet Secretaries and Governors.

The President claimed some MPs have turned House committees into money-minting rings instead of exercising oversight responsibilities.

“There is something happening in parliament that must be called out. There is money being demanded from executive, from governors, from people in executive especially those who are for accountability,” said the Head of State in his speech.

“It cannot continue to be business as usual. It cannot be committees of Parliament demand to be paid for them to write reports or look the other way.”

MP Mukunji, however, alleges that the Executive itself has been complicit in bribing lawmakers to advance its interests.

Speaking on Thursday at funeral ceremony of two sisters who lost their lives in a road accident at Karingari market, Mukunji claimed that during the controversial 2024 Finance Bill debate, President Ruto’s administration used financial incentives to pressure legislators into passing the bill.

The MP further alleged that both the National Assembly and the Senate were compromised during the impeachment proceedings against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, suggesting that bribes played a role in the outcome.

He stated that he resisted what he called the Executive's corrupt tactics to influence his stance on both Gachagua's impeachment and the Finance Bill, decisions that triggered massive public outcry and deadly protests.

Mukunji argued that President Ruto cannot distance himself from corruption, which he says is deeply entrenched in Parliament.

He urged fellow lawmakers to uphold their constitutional oversight role, warning that colluding with the Executive for financial gain or favors erodes public trust and undermines their credibility.

The legislator emphasized the need for accountability, calling on MPs to resist undue influence and serve the interests of the people.

“It is a shame that the President is saying that, whereas every time there’s a bill that is against the people, he’s the first person to offer those bribes, ili vitu zake ziende vile anataka,” said the legislator.

“Tumepitisha bills za kuongeza ushuru, sai kila mtu hapa ako na payslip analia – courtesy of those bribes that happen in the National Assembly. Tumepitisha hata Finance Bill, ile ilikuwa imeambiwa na wananchi hawataki – courtesy of those bribes. So let us be genuine when we’re doing leadership.”