Senators threaten to impeach Speakers over Ruto bribery claims
Members of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, which is under scrutiny over the bribery claims, pointed fingers at Speaker Amason Kingi and his National Assembly counterpart, Moses Wetang'ula for failing to act
Senators have threatened to impeach the Speakers of both Houses of Parliament if they fail to summon President William Ruto to provide evidence on officials allegedly taking bribes from senior government officers.
The warning comes amid mounting frustration over what senators describe as the leadership’s silence while Parliament’s reputation is being tarnished.
Members of the Senate Public Accounts Committee, which is under scrutiny over the bribery claims, pointed fingers at Speaker Amason Kingi and his National Assembly counterpart, Moses Wetang'ula for failing to act.
“We want the President to come and explain who are those demanding bribes. You can’t try Parliament in a kangaroo court when statutes have provisions to deal with unethical conduct by MPs, and we challenge our Speakers to convene the necessary committee to listen to the President,” said Committee chair Moses Kajwang.
Committee members criticized their leadership for remaining quiet while the institution of Parliament faces public disparagement.
“It’s not us that are weak, it’s the leadership of the House that is weak. We’re being invaded by Executive and our leadership is not saying anything,” said Kitui Senator Enoch Wambua.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna added, “I am putting the leadership of the House on notice; the Speaker must defend the institution of Parliament; he is our leader. The Majority and Minority leaders must defend the House; they should not just go there to make jokes about a position of welfare chairman.”
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei threatened to initiate impeachment motions against the two Speakers for failing to protect Parliament.
“When Parliament is under attack, the leadership of the House must be on the forefront to defend it. We must tell the Speakers that we are talking as members, and they are walking on a very dangerous path, and they might be casualties of what is happening, and they will go before we go,” he said.
The committee noted that the Speakers have powers under Article 125 of the Constitution to summon any person to appear before parliamentary committees.
The threat comes after President Ruto drew criticism from MPs by claiming that committees of the House have become dens of extortion and rent-seeking, pressuring members of the Executive to pass bills and motions
