Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that growing extortion by legislators targeting Governors and Cabinet Secretaries stems from the withdrawal of financial incentives previously offered by President William Ruto.
Speaking during a media interview on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Gachagua alleged that some Members of Parliament and Senators have resorted to demanding bribes when Cabinet officials and Governors appear before parliamentary committees, blaming the trend on a shift in State House’s political funding priorities.
“All these fights you’re seeing between the Executive and Parliament are about corruption,” Gachagua claimed.
“William Ruto raised the expectations of MPs and Senators by giving them Ksh 10 million. Now they want money constantly. Since Ruto stopped funding Kenya Kwanza MPs and is now focusing his financial support on ODM and Raila Odinga, those MPs feel abandoned.”
According to Gachagua, with the cash flow from the President reduced, legislators have started soliciting bribes from ministries and county officials.
“So they’ve decided to seek money elsewhere. When Ministers and Principal Secretaries appear before committees, they’re being asked for money,” he said.
Blames President Ruto for “Fueling the Culture”
Gachagua went further to accuse President Ruto of having laid the foundation for what he described as “high-level corruption” within Parliament.
“William Ruto started all this. He shouldn’t complain now. This is his doing. He’s the one who introduced money into the National Assembly and Senate,” Gachagua alleged.
“He told these MPs that everyone has a price. So he can’t now turn around and condemn the behavior he nurtured.”
Mount Kenya MPs Struggling to Engage Constituents Without Handouts
Gachagua also claimed that many MPs, particularly those from Mount Kenya who are aligned with the President, are now struggling to maintain political support without money to distribute in their constituencies.
“These MPs can’t even go home or hold meetings without giving handouts. Now that the money from State House has dried up, they still need to engage with voters, so they look for cash from ministries and government departments,” he said.
He also alleged that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is grappling with similar issues among his allies.
Context: Ruto’s Recent Accusations Against MPs
Gachagua’s remarks come shortly after President Ruto accused certain parliamentary committees of demanding bribes from Cabinet Secretaries.
The President recently disclosed that a committee in the National Assembly allegedly requested a sh 10 million bribe to pass the Anti-Money Laundering Bill.
Gachagua claimed the President’s frustration was triggered by increasing complaints from Cabinet Secretaries who say they are unable to operate under continued pressure and alleged extortion by lawmakers.
