Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of running a corrupt system that thrives on bribery and intimidation within Parliament. Speaking on Citizen TV’s The Explainer show, Gachagua alleged that the Head of State “has no moral authority” to criticize lawmakers on corruption because he is the one fueling it.
How Much Does Gachagua Claim MPs and Senators Were Paid?
According to Gachagua, Members of Parliament were allegedly paid Ksh.200,000 each to support the contentious 2024 Finance Bill. He further claimed that those who voted for his impeachment were given Ksh.500,000, while Senators received as much as Ksh.10 million to back the same decisions.
“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,” Gachagua said.
He alleged that, beyond the payouts, President Ruto is keeping secret files on lawmakers who accept money, using these records to blackmail them and secure their loyalty. “All those Senators and MPs who took money during my impeachment, who took money for the Finance Bill, William Ruto has a file on each one of you. For the money that you took, you have to stick with William Ruto up to the ballot,” he claimed.
Are State Agencies Being Used to Intimidate Leaders?
Gachagua also accused the President of weaponizing state bodies such as the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to pressure lawmakers who resist bribery. He described these tactics as a deliberate strategy to weaken dissent.
Why Did Gachagua Call State House a “Crime Scene”?
In his harshest criticism yet, Gachagua branded State House a “crime scene,” accusing top leaders 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 asked.
The remarks have sparked heated debate across the political space, with supporters and critics alike dissecting the gravity of Gachagua’s claims.
By Lucy Anyanje