NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of orchestrating large-scale bribery in Parliament to secure political and legislative support.
In an interview on Citizen TV’s The Explainer show on Tuesday night, Gachagua claimed the President “has no moral authority” to lecture lawmakers on corruption, alleging that State House itself is at the centre of the rot.
“The President has no moral authority to talk about corruption in Parliament because he is the one who has corrupted it. Ruto pays Parliament for everything he wants to happen,” he said.
According to Gachagua, Members of Parliament were allegedly paid Ksh200,000 each to back the contentious 2024 Finance Bill, while those who supported his impeachment reportedly received Ksh500,000.
He further claimed Senators were offered up to Ksh10 million to side with the President.
He also accused the Head of State of deploying state agencies — including the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) — to harass legislators who resist bribery.
Going further, Gachagua described State House as a “crime scene,” accusing the country’s leadership of openly perpetuating corruption.
“The DP is carrying money in sacks, bribing women and young people to chant ‘two terms.’ Then the President pretends he can fight corruption. Where does he start?” he posed.
President Ruto has in recent months publicly expressed concern over corruption in Parliament, accusing some lawmakers of seeking bribes to pass or block legislation.
