Kenyans demand action after Ruto’s damning Sh10m bribery claims
President William Ruto’s claim that members of a parliamentary committee received a Sh10 million bribe to pass the anti-money laundering law last April has reignited debate on corruption at the heart of Kenya’s leadership.
Ruto vowed that his administration would not tolerate leaders who misuse their positions for personal gain.
But his failure to name those allegedly involved has left Kenyans questioning the seriousness of the claim and whether it will translate into accountability.
Analysts now warn that without concrete investigations and prosecutions, such remarks risk being dismissed as mere political rhetoric.
“People want to see action. Without names or arrests, this will be treated as another speech,” said political analyst Dr. Hope Ndirangu.
For citizens, the issue extends beyond who pocketed the alleged bribe.
Corruption in Parliament, they say, undermines service delivery nationwide.
“We hear money is sent here every year, but when you arrive, there is nothing,” said Margret Achieng, a patient in Homa Bay who decried the lack of medical supplies at a public hospital in the area.
The education sector faces similar frustrations, with mismanaged bursary funds leaving many children out of class and forcing parents in low-income areas to dig deeper into their pockets.
“You can never have high hopes of getting these funds. This year you’re listed, next year you’re not—and that makes me work two jobs to provide for my kids’ education,” a parent said.
Economists and public oversight bodies have warned that corruption at both legislative and executive levels fuels Kenya’s rising debt.
For instance, in a March 2025 audit report for eCitizen’s operations in the financial year ending June 30, 2024, the Auditor-General pointed out over Sh9.6 billion in questionable transactions and poor oversight involving financial service providers and government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Further, the audit also uncovered Sh2.57 billion in receipts that could not be linked to any invoices in the Pesaflow system, which facilitates digital government payments.
While the President’s remarks highlight the scale of graft, Kenyans remain skeptical.
Previous administrations have made similar promises, but prosecutions of senior officials remain rare.
