Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ has called on Parliament to summon President William Ruto to explain allegations of bribery within the legislature.
Speaking on Tuesday, August 19, Kajwang' cited constitutional provisions granting Parliament powers to summon any individual, including the President, insisting that Ruto must back his claims with evidence before the two Houses.
"Article 125 gives us the power to compel the appearance of any person before this committee, including the President who is making allegations of unethical conduct on the part of Parliament.
"I want to challenge the Speakers of the two Houses to issue a summon to the President to come and explain who are those people who are demanding bribes and those who are given bribes," he said.
Kajwang' went ahead to fault Ruto for making accusations against lawmakers outside established legal and parliamentary procedures.
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"You cannot try Parliament in a kangaroo court when the statute already has clear provisions for dealing with unethical conduct on the part of members of the National Assembly or members of the Senate," he added.
Kajwang’ further argued that if indeed bribes were being given to Parliament, the question of guilt on the part of the giver should not be overlooked.
"The question is, for those who claim that they bring bribes to Parliament, why would you bribe Parliament if you're not guilty, in the event that that was to happen? But even for us to determine the veracity of those allegations, Speaker Wetang'ula and Speaker Kingi, you are the defenders, you are the heads of this institution, you must now exercise Article 125 and summon the President," he further said.
Speaking during the Kenya Kwanza-ODM Parliamentary Group meeting on Monday, August 18, Ruto accused senators of turning oversight proceedings into a marketplace, alleging that governors seeking to defend themselves often had to pay bribes.
He referred to instances of Ksh150 million being demanded during Senate sessions where governors appeared for grilling or impeachment.
"I am a consumer of raw intelligence every day. In the Senate, when a governor appears for grilling or impeachment, the chambers are nicknamed soko huru. Where does one even get Ksh150 million? Isn’t that money meant for counties?" he asked.
Ruto also spoke of alleged corruption at the National Assembly, announcing that MPs involved in soliciting and receiving bribes will be arrested.
He went on to reveal that some lawmakers 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 posed.
