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Post Reply: Churches Demand Evidence and Action on Parliamentary Bribery Allegations

<blockquote><div class="quotetitle">Quote from <a class="profile-link highlight-moderator" href="https://lawguide.co.ke/understanding-law/legal-forum/profile/lawyer/">Lawyer</a> on August 25, 2025, 8:00 am</div><div id="pl-7698"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-7698-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-7698-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell"  data-weight="1" ><div id="panel-7698-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" data-style="{&quot;background_image_attachment&quot;:false,&quot;background_display&quot;:&quot;tile&quot;,&quot;background_image_size&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;background_image_opacity&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;border_thickness&quot;:&quot;1px&quot;}" ><div
			
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	<p dir="ltr" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Religious leaders across Kenya have called on President William Ruto to substantiate his recent claims of bribery within Parliament and take decisive action against those involved. The demand follows the President's allegations that Members of Parliament (MPs) and senators have been soliciting bribes from government officials appearing before parliamentary committees, a statement that has sparked widespread concern and debate.</p>
<p dir="ltr">During the 2025 Devolution Conference held last week, President Ruto accused MPs and senators of extorting cabinet secretaries and governors, claiming that such practices undermine the integrity of Kenya's legislative processes. These remarks have drawn sharp criticism from both religious institutions and parliamentary leaders, who argue that the accusations, if unsubstantiated, risk tarnishing the reputation of Parliament and eroding public trust.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK), a prominent religious body, issued a statement urging the President to provide concrete evidence to support his claims. The NCCK emphasized that such serious allegations require transparency and accountability, calling for immediate investigations to identify and hold accountable any individuals involved in unethical conduct. "The integrity of our institutions is paramount," the NCCK stated. "If these claims are true, swift action must be taken to restore public confidence. If they are not, such statements should not be made lightly."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Other religious organizations echoed the NCCK's sentiments, expressing concern over the potential damage to public faith in governance. The Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) highlighted the need for a thorough and impartial probe, noting that unverified accusations could deepen public cynicism toward elected officials. "We urge the relevant authorities to act promptly and transparently to address these allegations," the KCCB said in a press release.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In response, several senators have demanded that President Ruto be summoned to provide evidence before Parliament, invoking Article 125 of the Constitution, which allows the legislature to call upon any individual to testify. Senate Accounts Committee Chairperson Moses Kajwang, alongside senators Edwin Sifuna, Enock Wambua, Samson Cherargei, and Jones Mwaruma, held a press conference at Bunge Towers, challenging the leadership of both the Senate and the National Assembly to act. "The President must come forward and provide evidence of the unethical conduct he has referred to in public," Kajwang stated, emphasizing that failure to do so could undermine the credibility of the legislative body.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The senators expressed frustration over what they described as a pattern of generalized accusations against Parliament. Senator Sifuna, representing Nairobi, warned that the bribery allegations could taint all decisions made by the Senate, including critical processes like impeachment proceedings. "Every decision we make will now be viewed with suspicion, as though we have been compromised," he said. Sifuna also criticized Senate leadership for not doing enough to defend the institution against such claims, calling for stronger action to protect its reputation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The controversy has also drawn attention to broader issues of oversight and accountability in Kenya's devolved system of governance. Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, speaking at the Devolution Conference, questioned the Senate's role in overseeing county governments, suggesting that county assemblies, rather than the Senate, should take primary responsibility for holding governors accountable. Odinga's remarks added fuel to the ongoing debate about the balance of power between national and county-level institutions.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Public reaction has been mixed, with some citizens expressing outrage over the alleged corruption, while others view the accusations as politically motivated. Social media platforms have been abuzz with discussions, with many Kenyans calling for greater transparency and accountability from both the government and Parliament. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has since announced that it has opened a probe into the bribery claims, though no specific details have been released regarding the scope or timeline of the investigation.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The NCCK and other religious groups have vowed to continue pressing for clarity and action, emphasizing that the fight against corruption is a shared responsibility. "We cannot allow our institutions to be undermined by unverified claims or unchecked misconduct," the NCCK stated. "The truth must come to light, and justice must be served."</p>
<p dir="ltr">As the situation unfolds, the pressure is mounting on President Ruto and parliamentary leaders to address the allegations head-on. With public confidence in governance at stake, the coming weeks will likely see intensified scrutiny of Kenya's legislative processes and the mechanisms in place to ensure accountability.</p>
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