President William Ruto has ordered the immediate arrest and prosecution of Members of Parliament who allegedly received a Ksh10 million bribe to pass the Anti-Money Laundering Bill, in what is now being termed as one of the boldest anti-corruption declarations inside Parliament.
Ruto made the explosive remarks on Monday at the KCB Leadership Centre in Karen, where he and ODM leader Raila Odinga co-chaired a joint Parliamentary Group meeting bringing together MPs from both Kenya Kwanza and ODM. The historic meeting was meant to focus on national unity, bipartisan cooperation and the implementation of the Ruto–Raila Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
However, the president diverted from his prepared remarks to deliver a searing attack on corrupt lawmakers.
“Let me ask you, MPs, do you know that a few members of your committee collected Ksh10 million so that you could pass that law on anti-money laundering? Did you get the money?” Ruto posed, visibly angered.
Calling politics the biggest stumbling block to effective national reforms, Ruto condemned the bribery saga and said the individuals involved were tarnishing the image of Parliament.
“There are people who are destroying the credibility of Parliament. They are collecting money in the name of Parliament. Those who took that money will be arrested.”
He emphasized that Kenya cannot fight money laundering while some legislators engage in ‘economic sabotage’ behind the scenes.
A Unified Front
Seated beside him was Raila Odinga, who nodded in agreement as the president voiced his frustrations. The meeting, which also discussed cost of living, constitutional reforms and national healing, was attended by senior leaders including Deputy President Kindiki Kithure.
Analysts believe the dramatic warning could trigger investigations and a deeper anti-corruption purge in the legislature. The speech also marks a new phase of cooperation between Ruto and Raila, as both sides appear united on punishing lawmakers who allegedly received illicit funds.
