Malala Accuses Ruto of Hidden Interests in Anti- Corruption Debate

Cleophas Malala speaking at past event. Photo :Malala

Deputy party leader for DCP, Cleophas Malala has accused President William Ruto of having a personal stake in the controversial Anti-corruption debate, arguing that the Head of State’s public agitation over the matter points to deeper interests.

Speaking on Citizen TV on Thursday, Malala accused Ruto of hypocrisy and double-speak on corruption in Parliament.

“Why was the President so agitated about one particular issue, the Anti-Money Laundering issue? It’s because he is a person of interest,” Malala charged.

“He seems to know who gave the bribe, who was meant to receive the bribe, and that the money was not delivered. His problem now is not the bribery itself, but that the money was never delivered.”

Malala went further, branding Ruto a pathological liar, but noted that the President’s admission that Parliament is corrupt was the first time he had told the truth in public.

President Ruto addressing ODM-Kenya Kwanza MPs on August 18th.

“Parliament is not independent. Parliament is corrupt. We saw it during the impeachment of the former deputy president when senators were allegedly given Sh10 million each, and during the passage of the 2024 Finance Bill when MPs admitted they were paid to support it,” Malala said.

Malala also drew a line between lobbying and outright bribery, saying while lobbying is an acceptable global parliamentary practice, Kenyan lawmakers had turned it into an opportunity for rent-seeking.

“Depending on the morality of a member, lobbying may be based on persuasion and logic, but many times money exchanges hands. I saw it myself during the one-man, one-shilling debate, when both governors and government lobbied with cash,” he said.

Malala further alleged that state agencies have often facilitated bribery in the corridors of Parliament.

“The NIS is always in Parliament to give out money, and this calls for accountability from the givers. Since Ruto came to power, he has entrenched lobbying through money in every process from impeachment motions to finance bills. Now that he finds it unsustainable, he wants to threaten MPs with a multi-agency team,” he said.

The DCP leader dismissed the idea of forming a multi-agency anti-graft taskforce, saying it would duplicate the mandate of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC).

“Our constitution is clear corruption cases are the preserve of EACC. The President is overreaching by proposing a multi-agency team,” he insisted.

On Monday, during a joint UDA–ODM Parliamentary Group meeting in Nairobi, President Ruto accused legislators of turning Parliament into a marketplace, citing claims that governors facing impeachment were asked to part with KSh150 million and that MPs demanded KSh10 million to pass critical bills.

Ruto’s remarks at Monday’s joint UDA–ODM parliamentary group (PG) meeting were dramatic:

“Corruption is bleeding our nation dry, and Parliament cannot be the marketplace where this vice thrives. We must draw the line. Kenyans will not forgive leaders who turn their offices into auction houses.”