EACC Probes MPs Bribery Claims After Ruto's Allegations

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has started investigations into Members of Parliament accused of demanding bribes. This comes after President William Ruto recently claimed that lawmakers had turned Parliament into a “marketplace for extortion.” EACC chairperson David Oginde confirmed that the commission is already following up on several MPs named in the scandal. He said the investigations are active and warned that no one will be spared once evidence is ready. Kenyan Parliament building under scrutiny as EACC probes alleged MPs' bribery following President Ruto's accusations of corruption within the legislative body. “We are investigating a number of individuals. Soon, the country will see the results at different levels of leadership,” Oginde stated. The EACC investigation into MPs bribery will cover many allegations. These include taking bribes to influence laws, inflating allowances, misusing Constituency Development Funds, and forcing senior officials to pay protection fees. Oginde added that Parliament should be making laws that benefit Kenyans, not creating schemes for bribery and protection rackets. He also said the commission has already met with the Speakers of the National Assembly and Senate and will meet them again to seek cooperation. “One rotten potato can spoil the whole bag. We want to identify the specific individuals and take action. It’s not just about punishment but ending the practice completely,” Oginde said. Civil society groups have also joined the conversation. Transparency International Kenya Executive Director Sheila Masinde urged the President to provide evidence to the authorities. She said this would allow thorough investigations to move forward. “If the President is serious, he should present the evidence to investigators,” Masinde insisted. President Ruto made his claims during the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County last week. He accused MPs of demanding bribes from cabinet secretaries and governors. According to him, some parliamentary committees had abandoned their oversight role and instead turned into money-making rings. “There is something happening in Parliament that must be exposed. Executives and governors are being asked for money, especially those responsible for accountability,” Ruto said. He went on to accuse certain committees of running extortion schemes. “It cannot continue to be business as usual. It cannot be that committees demand money in order to write reports or to look the other way,” he added. The President also challenged the EACC to act firmly. He insisted that no one should be protected from prosecution, regardless of their position or political connections. “I have told the EACC that there will be no sacred cows. No one will receive protection through phone calls from above or below,” Ruto stressed. The growing tension between the Executive and Parliament now places the spotlight on the EACC investigation into MPs bribery. Many Kenyans are waiting to see whether strong action will finally be taken against corrupt lawmakers.