Ruto accuses MPs of turning Parliament into a 'den of graft'

President Ruto, while addressing the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County, called out members of parliament who, he says, have turned house committees into money-minting rings instead of exercising oversight responsibilities.

President William Ruto says parliament has turned into a den of graft.

“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.”

President Ruto, who veered off from his speech, pointed directly to unnamed committees of parliament that he says have turned to extortion rings.

“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.”

The head of state again turned his salvos on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and demanded for a crackdown.

“I have made it clear to EACC that there will be no sacred cows. There will be no phone calls from below or above to stop anyone from being prosecuted.”

The president said after he assented to the Conflict of Interest Bill, all agencies mandated with tackling corruption must step up their efforts and make a wholesome approach in ensuring culprits are brought to book within the shortest time possible.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, on his part, defended parliament, taking on governors, accusing them of frustrating oversight by the senate.

“When Senate goes to counties for oversight, we face a lot of hostility.”

“We will not stop our oversight, we will come for you. Our work is to ensure taxpayers’ money do not go to corruption.”

President Ruto also decried what he described as the judiciary providing relief for suspects sought for offences such as graft.

President Ruto, who had earlier toured several development projects in Homa Bay County, said corruption continues to pull back gains made and to erode public confidence.