On November 20, 2018, the National Assembly Powers and Privileges committee recommended that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission look into allegations that MPs were bribed during the sugar report dispute.
The committee, chaired by Speaker Justin Muturi, said the evidence it received from oral submissions suggested that bribery may have taken place. In its report tabled on Tuesday, the panel stated: “There was therefore a possible breach of privilege and breach of the Code of Conduct by some members in terms of Section 16 of the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act, 2017, and also within the ambit of the criminal law,”
The allegations had first surfaced in August 2018, when a section of MPs claimed they were approached with cash to help defeat the report. The claims centred on the joint committee on Trade and Agriculture’s sugar report, which had become politically sensitive inside Parliament.
Kiambu Woman Representative Gathoni wa Muchomba and Naivasha MP Jane Kihara were among those who publicly described how the alleged bribery unfolded. Wa Muchomba said some lawmakers were targeted in Parliament’s toilets, while Kihara said some of her colleagues received money before the report was tabled.
The committee’s recommendation now places the matter in the hands of the DCI and the EACC, after the parliamentary panel concluded that the allegations were serious enough to raise both privilege and criminal-law concerns.
Read: Sugar report: Muturi, MPs visit ladies' toilet to probe bribery claims
Related: Gedi admits lobbying MPs to reject sugar report, wants Barasa punished
