NAIROBI, Kenya – Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has dismissed allegations of bribery and extortion within the Senate, insisting that no formal complaints have been filed against any lawmaker despite President William Ruto’s recent claims.
Addressing the House on Wednesday, Kingi said the Senate leadership had met earlier in the day and noted that the accusations lacked specifics, including the names of the implicated senators.
“The leadership of the Senate has noted that the allegations have not included material particulars, including the specific individual senators against whom allegations of bribery are made,” Kingi told lawmakers.
President Ruto, speaking during a joint parliamentary meeting at State House, accused MPs and senators of soliciting bribes from Cabinet secretaries and governors appearing before parliamentary committees.
The claims sparked outrage in the Senate, with some legislators demanding the President be summoned to provide evidence.
But Kingi stressed that his office had not received any complaint or evidence linking a senator to bribery.
“As Speaker of the Senate, I have not received any complaints or information relating to bribery, extortion, or other corrupt practice against a senator from any member, the executive, ministries, departments, governors, or county government agencies,” he said.
“If I do receive such a complaint, I am obligated, and I will take the necessary stern actions without delay.”
Kingi reminded senators that they are bound by the Constitution to uphold integrity, citing Chapter Six on leadership and integrity, and warned that allegations of corruption merit urgent action.
“The law expressly prohibits senators from soliciting, receiving, or accepting any fee, gift, reward, or benefit of any kind in exchange for performing or failing to perform their duties,” he said, referencing the Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Act.
He urged collaboration across state institutions in tackling corruption, noting that Parliament already has mechanisms to discipline errant members through the Committee of Powers and Privileges, which he chairs.
The Speaker’s remarks came a day after a section of senators demanded Ruto be compelled to table evidence, warning that the bribery scandal was damaging public confidence in Parliament.
