Parliament stalls as Ruto accuses MPs of corruption

National Assembly buildings in Nairobi. [File, Standard]

National Assembly sittings on Tuesday failed to start after MPs paralysed all committee business, with only the Committee on Implementation meeting.

 Senate committees, however, met normally with stakeholders.

The disruption comes as President William Ruto renewed attacks on Parliament, accusing some MPs of allowing corruption to thrive and failing to perform their role as the electorate’s watchdog.

“Let me ask you, MPs seated here. Do you, for example, know that a few members of your committee collected Sh10 million so that you could pass that law on anti-money laundering? Did you get the money? Yes, there are people who are destroying the credibility of Parliament,” said Ruto.

Ruto made the remarks on Monday, August 18, during the first-ever Parliamentary Group meeting, which brought together the two major coalitions, Kenya Kwanza and part of Azimio, along with leaders, including Orange Democratic Movement leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Karen, Nairobi.

Senate Accounts Committee Chairperson Moses Kajwang challenged House speakers to summon Ruto to provide evidence of his extortion claims.

 Kajwang’, who chaired the committee session at Bunge Towers on Tuesday, was joined by members Jones Mwaruma, Edwin Sifuna, Enock Wambua and Samson Cherargei.

The senators cited Article 125 of the Constitution, which empowers Parliament and its committees to summon any person to provide evidence or information.