Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has called on President William Ruto to publicly identify Members of Parliament allegedly soliciting bribes from Cabinet Secretaries and Governors. According to Sifuna, such serious allegations require clear evidence and cannot be left vague.
President Ruto, while addressing the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay County on Wednesday, claimed that some legislators had turned parliamentary committees into platforms for extortion.
“There is something happening in Parliament that must be called out. There is money being demanded from the Executive, from Governors—especially those who push for accountability,” Ruto remarked.
In a swift response, Senator Sifuna insisted that the President must provide names instead of issuing blanket accusations.
“I want President William Ruto to tell the country who these people are. To make such blunt allegations, we need names,” Sifuna said during the Law Society of Kenya’s Annual Conference in Diani on Friday.
Sifuna went on to reference the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, noting that his decision to support the motion was based on principle and not financial gain.
“As Sifuna, I had already taken a public position on Gachagua before his impeachment. Are you telling me I needed to be paid to do something I was already committed to?” he posed.
He further emphasized that his past objections to Gachagua’s conduct were a matter of record, adding:
“Had I not gone on record criticizing the DP’s utterances, was I going to demand money to impeach him?”
On the “Wantam” Slogan
The Senator also addressed the growing “Wantam” (one-term) slogan circulating online, which calls for Ruto to serve only one term. He compared the movement to Ruto’s own rise to power, which was propelled by the “Hustler” slogan.
“We must be bold. Saving a nation is an existential fight. The same people who rose to power on a slogan—‘hustler’—are now dismissing the power of slogans. If they did it, why can’t we? Say it yourselves, ‘Wantam,’” Sifuna urged.
Ruto’s Warning to MPs
During the same devolution forum, President Ruto warned MPs accused of extorting the Executive, stressing that investigations will be carried out by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).
“I have made it clear to EACC that there will be no sacred cows. There will be no phone calls from above or below to stop anyone from being prosecuted,” Ruto declared.
