Ex-MP Kimani Ngunjiri calls for speedy trials in corruption cases

Kimani Ngunjirio on Spice FM. [Screengrab]

Former Bahati Member of Parliament Kimani Ngunjiri has urged the swift prosecution of politicians implicated in corruption, saying prolonged cases erode public trust.

Reacting to President William Ruto's recent claims on bribery by lawmakers, Ngunjiri proposed that all corruption cases be concluded within six months.

"Just like we have a hearing for election disputes, why not do the same for politician corruption cases?" he said in an interview on Spice FM on Friday, August 22.

Ngunjiri argued that drawn-out trials undermine integrity.

"I know of one MP who was found guilty of stealing CDF money just here in Nairobi. Five years later, nothing has been done, yet he still talks about corruption," he claimed.

His remarks came days after the first joint parliamentary group meeting between Kenya Kwanza and ODM, where President Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga took a hard line against corruption, including allegations of bribery in Parliament.

Ruto accused lawmakers of pocketing millions to frustrate legislation. "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?" he posed.

At the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay last week, Ruto said corruption was entrenched at all levels of government: the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary, as well as in the private sector.

Gachagua's return

Separately, Ngunjiri dismissed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's return from the United States, terming it "a failure."

He claimed the event lacked significance.

"For Gachagua's return, the crowds were not what they expected. They were not there...It failed," he said. "When he [Gachagua] was not there, the country was very cool."