Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr has waded into the growing storm over corruption allegations in Parliament, saying the claims are “nothing new” and have plagued the legislative institution for years.
Speaking to journalists, Mutula said MPs have long been accused of demanding bribes from officials who appear before House committees or in exchange for passing certain Bills.
However, what surprises him now is the magnitude of the bribes allegedly being demanded.
“Whether or not Parliamentary committees demand bribes is not new. It has happened before. I’m only surprised about the amounts — they are huge,” Mutula stated.
He revealed that he raised similar concerns with anti-graft agencies, including the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
“The complaints are all round. Everybody is complaining that when they appear before the committees, they are forced to facilitate,” he said.
“It is a matter which I have raised with the EACC. Allegations of corruption are age-old.”
Mutula's remarks follow President William Ruto’s scathing criticism of Parliament last week during the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, where the Head of State accused some MPs of turning Parliament into a “marketplace for extortion.”
“There is money being demanded from the Executive, from Governors and Ministers, especially those who go for accountability before our Houses of Parliament,” the President said.
Just days later, during a joint parliamentary group meeting of Kenya Kwanza and ODM, Ruto escalated his attack, likening certain House committees to a “soko huru” — an open-air market where oversight and legislation are allegedly up for sale.
In response, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi has broken his silence, defending senators and demanding that those making the claims present specific names and evidence.
“The leadership of the Senate has noted, with grave concern, the allegations of bribery and extortion made against Parliament in general and the Senate in particular,” Kingi said.
“However, these allegations have not included material particulars, including the specific Senators against whom the allegations are made.”
